US EMBASSY EXPLAINS VISA ISSUES

The US Embassy in Trinidad has sought to clear the air following the revocation of visas.

Transcript

00:00The U.S. Embassy in Trinidad has sought to clear the air following the revocation of visas.

00:05In a release online, the U.S. Embassy said, quote,

00:08the United States government makes all decisions about its visas.

00:12No foreign government is involved in visa approvals, denials, or revocations.

00:17It continued, quote, the U.S. does not revoke visas due to the exercises of the right to free expression,

00:23which is the cornerstone value of our country.

00:26The U.S. Embassy further added, quote,

00:28The United States does, however, revoke and deny visas based on criminal activity.

00:34The embassy did not refer to any specific case,

00:37but Gary Abood, Secretary of the Fishermen and Friends of the Sea,

00:41is questioning why he received a notice of revocation by the U.S. Embassy last Wednesday.

00:46He said the revocation of his U.S. visa raised serious concerns about whether foreign powers

00:51and the government were attempting to intimidate or punish civil society voices that speak out.

00:59So...