A Nigerian entrepreneur, Chinelo Ejianwu, has shared her frustration and after being denied entry into the United States despite possessing a valid visa.
In a video recorded aboard her return flight to Nigeria, Chinelo revealed she had traveled to the US for a trade exhibition scheduled to hold in Texas.
She held a B1 B2 visa, which is typically issued for business and tourism purposes.
According to her, upon arrival in the US, immigration officials flagged her for further screening.
She was questioned extensively and held for 24 hours before being deported.
“I was denied entry into the US even though I had a valid B1 B2 visa. I told them I was attending a trade fair to exhibit my products, but I didn’t realize they had already gone through my Instagram page and my chats with customers,” she said tearfully.
She explained that her social media content, particularly Instagram posts and conversations with clients, appeared to contradict the stated purpose of her visit.
US officials reportedly interpreted the content as an indication she might be engaging in commercial activity beyond the scope of her visa.
Diaspora NG had reported that the US State Department intensified social media vetting of visa applicants.
Under recent guidelines, applicants are now expected to make their social media accounts public as part of enhanced security screening procedures.
The department has instructed officials to monitor social media activity for any signs of hostility toward the US government, culture, or its institutions.
A spokesperson noted that maintaining private accounts may raise red flags and be interpreted as an attempt to conceal activity.
The policy changes which began during the Trump administration initially targeted international students applying for F visas but have since been extended to M visas (for vocational programs) and J visas (for exchange visitors).
“It is an expectation from American citizens that their government will make every effort to keep the country safe. That is what the administration is committed to doing every single day,” a senior State Department official stated.
