Latest update September 24th, 2026 10:31 AM
Understanding Visa Under Review & Revocation
Dear Editor,
The media reported that the visa of a Guyanese judge, Gino Persaud, is ‘under review’. That was used for denial of boarding a flight from Guyana for entry into USA. Every country has a sovereign right to decide who may enter its territory. Some (small, insignificant, unimportant country in world affairs like CARICOM and most OAS nations) may not want to deny entry to Americans or Britons or nationals of powerful countries for fear of consequences. But large, powerful nations like USA, China, India, Russia, France, Britain, among others, can bar entry of non-nationals without fear of consequences; and they often did so.
An American or Canadian or British visa is coveted; many applicants were denied. (Guyanese no longer need visa to enter Britain whereas Trinidadians do even if it is in transit). It is not known why Justice Gino’s visa is under review although this writer was offered some speculations. Politics is not among the reasons as the US is not likely to use politics to punish someone; it is un-American. And Gino is not a politician.
What does being ‘under review’ mean? The consular office in Guyana is actively evaluating a visa and can revoke it. Visas of several Guyanese were revoked over the last few years for a variety of reasons, not the least being engaged in corruption, accepting bribe, mis-information or lying on application, ill-treating or cheating Americans, blackmailing. Restricting freedom of speech of Americans in Guyana can lead to visa suspension with several Europeans suffering that fate.
If a visa is under review, the passenger will be denied boarding or taken off a flight if already boarded. Before a flight departs to USA, the manifest (list of all passengers) is electronically sent to USA for security review. Certain names ‘ring an alarm’ for secondary processing and questioning or denied boarding, taken off the plane. If security agents wish to question certain individuals, they would allow them to visit the US and pick them up at the airport for questioning. Several Guyanese were questioned in Miami and JFK, and a few had their visas revoked and deported. If one does not cooperate or lies or is a security threat, the visa will be revoked. American citizens coming from Guyana were also questioned.
American visas are revoked or cancelled all the time. Last year March, the Trump Administration cancelled visas for 300 foreign students. Just Monday gone, 32 visas were revoked for Europeans. Last year, visas of Britons and European officials were revoked because they penalized American business people for speaking out against corruption. The Trump Administration does not take too kindly to perennial criticism of USA; can lead to visa under review or revocation. At any rate, if one does not like USA, why obtain a visa or go there?
When a visa or revoked or under review, Washington or the Consulate does not have to give a reason unless it wants. It could be legitimate security or law-enforcement concern. And a visa under review can happen to anyone dealing with issues that relate with American security.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram
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