‘US visa bond policy not abnormal’

Diplomatic Correspondent :

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said that Bangladesh’s inclusion in the United States’ expanded visa bond programme is “regrettable but not abnormal”.

Speaking to reporters at Foreign Ministry on Thursday, Adviser said the US decision was not directed at Bangladesh alone and it reflects longstanding problems linked to irregular migration, rather than the performance of the current government.

“America’s decision is not only about Bangladesh. Bangladesh is one of several countries where there are immigration problems,” he said, referring to US statistics that indicate a high number of Bangladeshi nationals overstaying visas and accessing social welfare systems.

Describing the development as unfortunate, he added, “It is certainly sad and painful for us, but it is not abnormal.”

According to him, the trends that led to the decision have evolved over many years.

“If this had happened within one year, or if the problem had been created in one year, then I would say this government bears responsibility. But this practice has been going on for a long time,” he said, placing policy responsibility on successive previous governments.

Hossain acknowledged that no government had been able to fully halt irregular migration.

“Stopping people’s movement entirely is beyond the capacity of this government or any government before it,” he said, while reiterating that the interim administration has taken a firm stance against illegal migration from the outset.

“From the first day, we have been clearly against irregular migration,” he added.
He warned that unless illegal routes are shut down, human tragedies will continue.

While expressing sympathy for those who suffer during dangerous journeys, he stressed that the law is being violated.

“The young man from a village who travels to Kenya on a tourist visa does not actually have the means to go there as a tourist,” Hossain cited an example.

According to the adviser, addressing the issue requires decisive action against traffickers and broader social support.

“If you cannot identify, arrest and jail those who take money and send people illegally, this problem will never be addressed,” he said, noting that any meaningful crackdown would require public acceptance, regardless of which government is in power.
On diplomatic engagement, Hossain said Bangladesh would approach the issue through established channels.
“This has just happened. We will proceed through normal processes and try our best to come out of this situation,” he said.