Burkina Faso Refuses U.S. Deportation Plan, U.S. Embassy Halts Routine Visa Services
Burkina Faso’s government has officially rejected a U.S. proposal to accept deportees from the United States—including non-citizens—labeling the offer “indecent” and incompatible with national dignity.
At the same time, the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou has announced the temporary suspension of all routine visa operations as of October 10, 2025, redirecting applicants to its embassy in Lomé, Togo.
Key developments:
- Burkina Faso’s stance. Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré said the U.S. proposal was “totally contrary to the value of dignity,” asserting that “Burkina Faso is a land of dignity, not deportation.”
- Diplomatic retaliation. The suspension of visa services is widely seen as a pressure tactic by the U.S. in response to Ouagadougou’s refusal.
- Scope of visa pause. The embassy’s announcement includes both immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories for tourism, business, student, and exchange programs. Diplomatic and official visa types (A, G, C-series) will still be processed.
- Regional context. Ghana and other African countries have already accepted U.S. deportees under “third-country deportation” schemes, some involving financial incentives, but Burkina Faso has refused to participate.
- Impact on applicants. Those with existing visa appointments have been notified; valid existing visas remain unaffected. Applicants in Burkina Faso are now expected to be processed via Lomé.
This diplomatic standoff underscores rising tensions between Burkina Faso’s military regime and U.S. migration policy, especially as West African states navigate pressure over how to manage migration and deportation requests.
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