‘Cancellation’ of Austrian Visas for 300 Iranians Following US Government Decisions
The Associated Press reports that Austria has prevented 300 non-Muslim Iranians who hoped to travel to America after temporary residence in the country from entering.
It is said that this is a consequence of President Trump’s plan to temporarily prevent visa issuance to residents of seven Islamic countries, including Iran.
Based on a plan approved in the US Congress 27 years ago, Austria served as a passage route for Jews, Christians, and Bahá’ís from Iran to America who were at risk in their own country.
American officials in Austria conducted interviews with this group of Iranian migrants, but the Associated Press reports, citing Austrian officials, that the “Lautenberg Program for Iranians” has been halted in recent days.
The news agency writes that this development does not have a direct connection to the executive order signed on Friday by US President Donald Trump, but is a consequence of a stricter stance on immigration to America.
Thomas Schnöll, spokesman for the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the country prevented these individuals from entering after “American officials told us that the continuation of people’s travel to America, meaning those who received their visas as part of that [Lautenberg] program from Austrian officials, is currently suspended.”
The US State Department said on Tuesday in an email that the Austrian government has “electronically revoked” visas for those who have not yet entered the country.
Schnöll said this decision affects approximately 300 Iranians who had obtained Austrian visas and wanted to enter the country.
He said that approximately 100 of them have been contacted and informed that they cannot come to Austria. He said efforts to contact the remaining individuals continue.
Other officials said that currently a small number of Iranians with temporary visas are in Austria, but their status is unclear.
The “Hebrew Immigration Aid Society” said that ending this program “endangers the lives of those seeking religious freedom and contains the wrong message about the widespread violation of religious freedom in Iran.”
Donald Trump signed an order on Friday for “extreme vetting” of individuals seeking to travel or immigrate to America.
Source: BBC
