On January 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a new proclamation under Presidential Executive Order 14161, aimed at protecting the United States from foreign terrorist and security threats. In keeping with his already controversial migration policy during his first term, the decision signals a return to targeted visa suspensions based on national security considerations, consular cooperation, and compliance with U.S. immigration laws.

In this new proclamation, partial visa suspensions have been imposed on seven (7) countries, including Togo, Burundi, and Sierra Leone affecting B-1 (business), B-2 (tourism), F (study), M (vocational training) and J (cultural exchange) visa categories. While these restrictions are less severe than those applied to twelve other countries, they nonetheless underscore Washington’s clear security concerns.

Statistics under scrutiny

According to U.S. Department of Homeland Security data, Togo has an overstay rate of 19.03% for business and tourism visas and 35.05% for study, vocational training and cultural exchange visa categories. 

Burundi shows an overstay rate of 15.35% for business and tourism visas and 17.52% for student and exchange visas. 

Sierra Leone has 15.43% of business and tourism visa holders and 35.83% of those with study, vocational training and cultural exchange visa categories overstayed their authorised period.

These statistics, taken from the annual report of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), reveal a worrying trend of non-compliance among certain nationalities, particularly within the student and temporary stay visa categories.

Washington’s concerns regarding Togo 

In addition to high overstay rates, Togo has been accused of failing to cooperate with U.S. consular services and of not adequately sharing security and national identification information. These are criteria the United States considers essential when assessing a partner country’s reliability in combating international terrorism and ensuring compliance with immigration laws.

This measure does not constitute a complete ban on entry, but rather a targeted restriction that could be lifted if the Togolese authorities enhance their cooperation and implement stronger control and information-sharing mechanisms.

A decision with far-reaching consequences

For Togolese citizens, this partial suspension could jeopardise plans to study, undertake cultural exchanges or participate in professional exchanges with the United States. It could also damage the country’s international reputation, potentially leading to it being perceived as a “high-risk” State by Washington.

Wake-up call for African governments

This decision should serve as a wake-up call for African governments. To preserve strong relations with the United States, countries must increasingly comply with diplomatic protocols, modernize ID systems, return expelled nationals, and cooperate on security data.

For Togo, this poses serious diplomatic and security challenges that must be addressed urgently to avoid the kind of comprehensive visa suspensions already imposed on countries like Chad, Eritrea and the Republic of Congo – all African nations that have faced heavy sanctions under this proclamation.

Today, Togo and other African countries are being called upon to reinforce their commitment to security and consular cooperation with the United States. This is an opportunity for them to reconsider migration governance, upgrade passport systems and provide better support to their citizens abroad, ensuring that the entire population is not negatively impacted by a few isolated cases.