U.S. Department of State Imposes Visa Restrictions on Over 15 Organizers and Sponsors of Illegal Immigrant 'Caravans': "Will Hold Caravan Organizers and Participants Accountable"

Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of State announced that it has taken action to impose visa restrictions on more than 15 individuals who organized, facilitated, or promoted illegal immigration "caravans" heading toward the United States. In a press statement on October 29 (local time), Department of State Spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that over the past week, the Department took steps to impose visa restrictions on more than 15 individuals involved in organizing, facilitating, and promoting recent migrant caravans.

Spokesperson Pigott stated, "The Trump Administration will not tolerate actions that undermine American national security or our immigration laws," adding, "We are resolute in protecting the integrity of our borders, dismantling human smuggling networks, and holding accountable those who seek to profit from illegal immigration."

"Organizers, Promoters, Supporters, and Financiers All Targeted... Participants Also Subject to Additional Vetting"

In its statement, the U.S. Department of State noted that it had previously announced a policy restricting visas for foreign government officials and others deemed responsible for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States. The Department stated that, using this policy, it stands ready to take action against individuals who knowingly organize, promote, support, or finance caravans facilitating illegal immigration to the United States.

The U.S. Department of State stated that these individuals and caravan participants will be subject to additional vetting if they apply for U.S. visas or attempt to enter the United States, and that the Department will take appropriate action, including visa revocations or denials.

The U.S. Department of State stated that investigations revealed certain individuals recruited, coordinated, and directed large groups of migrants heading through Central America and Mexico toward the U.S. southern border. The Department stated that "crossing the U.S. southern border without authorization violates the law and can lead to arrest, detention, deportation, and a ban on future entry to the United States," and noted that individuals who facilitate or participate in these illegal actions will be considered for visa restrictions.

On the same day, Spokesperson Pigott posted on official X, stating, "The Trump Administration will not tolerate those who profit from illegal immigration or undermine our immigration laws," noting that the Department took steps to impose visa restrictions on more than 15 individuals who organized, promoted, or financed caravans intending to illegally enter the United States.

Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Segura Warns Caravan Organizers and Participants: "There Will Be Accountability"

Juan Pablo Segura, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, quoted Spokesperson Pigott's post on official X, stating, "Caravan organizers and participants are on notice: There will be accountability." Assistant Secretary Segura stated, "We identified numerous individuals who recruited, coordinated, and directed caravans through Central America and Mexico toward the U.S. border and took steps to restrict their ability to travel to our country."

According to the U.S. Department of State, Assistant Secretary Segura was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs on August 14, 2026. The Department introduced that prior to joining the Department of State, Assistant Secretary Segura served as Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade in Governor Glenn Youngkin's administration, where he was responsible for driving economic growth across the Commonwealth’s more than $710 billion annual economy and overseeing its international trade operations. The Department noted that before entering public service, Segura spent most of his career founding and scaling companies to disrupt legacy industries, and in 2014, he founded his first company, Babyscripts, a maternal health tech company. According to the Department, Assistant Secretary Segura is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and graduated from the University of Notre Dame.

Based on Immigration and Nationality Act 212(a)(3)(C)... Policy Announced by Secretary Rubio in March 2025

The visa restriction policy cited by the U.S. Department of State as the basis for this action was announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 5, 2025. In a statement at the time, Secretary Rubio said, "Securing our borders is critical to making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous," adding, "Countries along transit corridors must do their part to prevent and deter the transit of foreign nationals seeking to illegally enter the United States."

Secretary Rubio stated that the policy targets individuals deemed responsible for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States, including foreign government officials such as immigration, customs, airport, and seaport officials. Secretary Rubio explained that this includes failing to enforce immigration laws or establishing and implementing policies and practices that knowingly facilitate the transit of foreign nationals seeking to unlawfully migrate to the United States via its southwest border.

Secretary Rubio stated that the policy complements the existing "3C policy," which was expanded in 2024 to target private sector actors knowingly providing transportation and travel services designed primarily for illegal immigrants. Secretary Rubio stated that this policy is pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which grants the Secretary of State the authority to render inadmissible any foreign national whose entry "would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States," and noted that certain family members may also be subject to restrictions. Secretary Rubio said, "The United States will not back down from defending its national security interests."

Successive Visa Restrictions on Mexican Transportation Companies and Uzbek Entities

The U.S. Department of State has continued to impose visa restrictions on actors facilitating illegal immigration pursuant to the same statutory provision. On December 3, 2025, the Department announced that it revoked visas and took steps to impose visa restrictions on executives and senior officials of Mexico-based transportation companies that knowingly provided travel services designed primarily for foreign nationals intending to migrate illegally to the United States. At the time, the Department stated that investigations revealed they transported foreign nationals, including minors, from the Caribbean and elsewhere to transit points in Central America, with many subsequently encountered attempting illegal entry into the United States. The Department stated that it was revoking visas and imposing visa restrictions to prevent their entry into the United States. The Department noted that these actions were taken under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which denies entry to individuals whose entry or proposed activities would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States. The Department stated, "The United States will not tolerate any attempt to undermine our national security or immigration laws," adding, "We will ensure that those who profit from illegal immigration pay a price and aggressively target smuggling networks to protect our borders."

On February 19, 2026, the U.S. Department of State also announced that it had taken steps to impose visa restrictions on executives and senior officials of two Uzbekistan-based visa agencies that knowingly provided travel services designed primarily for foreign nationals intending to migrate illegally to the United States. The Department noted that they coordinated the movement of foreign nationals, including minors, through airports and across borders to transit hubs in Central America, and expressed deep appreciation to the Government of Uzbekistan for its close cooperation in disrupting criminal networks. At the time, the Department similarly reiterated that "those who profit from illegal immigration will be held accountable, and we will aggressively target human smuggling networks to protect our borders and national security."

Earlier, on May 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of India-based travel agencies for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration. The Department stated at the time that consular sections across U.S. diplomatic missions in India and the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) work daily throughout the embassy and consulates to identify and target actors facilitating illegal immigration, migrant smuggling, and human trafficking. The Department stated that it will continue to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to disrupt smuggling networks. The Department noted that this visa restriction policy applies globally, including to individuals eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The Department stated, "Our immigration policies aim not only to inform foreign nationals of the perils of illegal immigration to the United States, but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including those who facilitate illegal immigration."

U.S. Embassy in Mexico: "Caravans Do Not Guarantee Entry... Border Monitored by Land, Sea, and Air"

Prior to this announcement, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico had been highlighting the risks of joining caravans via official X. On October 2, the Embassy stated, "Joining a caravan does not guarantee reaching the United States," adding, "Whether traveling in a caravan, paying coyotes, or trying to cross alone, illegal entry comes at a cost. You could face deportation or legal action." On October 18, the Embassy stated, "Traveling in a caravan does not change the consequences of attempting to enter the United States illegally. The border remains closed to illegal migration and is monitored by land, sky, and sea. Do not put your safety at risk." The Embassy tagged the post with the hashtag '#NiLoIntentes' (Don't even try it).

On October 19, the Embassy reiterated, "Do not risk your life following false promises," stating, "Caravans do not guarantee entry into the United States." The Embassy emphasized that crossing the border through irregular means jeopardizes one's safety and future, adding, "Do not be deceived by human traffickers. The border is not open to illegal migration."

U.S. Embassies in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador Also Issue Successive Messages

U.S. embassies across Central American nations also issued successive messages on official X throughout October urging individuals not to join caravans. On October 2, the U.S. Embassy in Honduras stated, "The U.S. southern border is closed to illegal entry," adding, "Whether you pay human smugglers, try to cross alone, or join a caravan, it doesn't matter. You will fail, and you will be deported, prosecuted, or both." On October 7, the Embassy also stated, "Under the Trump administration, no illegal immigrant is succeeding in crossing the U.S. southern border."

On October 6, the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador stated, "No matter how you attempt it—with a smuggler, alone, or in a caravan—illegal entry into the United States will not work," adding, "You will be detained, deported, and prosecuted." On October 11, the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador also stated, "Traveling in a caravan does not change the consequences of attempting to enter the United States illegally. The border remains closed to illegal migration and is monitored by land, sky, and sea. Do not put your safety at risk."

On October 8, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala stated, "No matter how you attempt it—with coyotes, alone, or in a caravan—illegal entry into the United States will fail," adding, "You will be caught, deported, and prosecuted." On October 14, the Embassy stated, "Joining a caravan to try to reach the U.S. border does not increase your chances of entry," adding, "Crossing the border without authorization is illegal."

On October 18, the Embassy stated, "Coyotes promised safe passage, and even money and lodging along the route, but they were lies," adding, "The caravans failed." The Embassy urged, "The border is closed to illegal migration and is monitored by land, sky, and sea," adding, "Do not give money to those criminals, and do not put your safety at risk."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also posted a video on official X on October 1 regarding the migrant caravans heading toward the U.S. southern border, quoting Secretary of Homeland Security Mullin as saying, "There is zero chance that they will be allowed into the United States."

Sources (KST)

• U.S. Department of State Press Statement, "Taking Action Against Caravan Organizers Facilitating Illegal Immigration to the United States" (2026-10-29): https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesman/2026/10/taking-action-against-caravan-organizers-facilitating-illegal-immigration-to-the-united-states/
• U.S. Department of State Press Statement, "Announcement of a Visa Restriction Policy Targeting Foreign Officials and Others Facilitating Illegal Migration into the United States" (2025-03-05): https://www.state.gov/announcement-of-a-visa-restriction-policy-targeting-foreign-officials-and-others-facilitating-illegal-migration-into-the-united-states/
• U.S. Department of State Media Note, "Visa Restrictions on Individuals in Mexico Facilitating Illegal Immigration to the United States" (2025-12-03): https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/12/visa-restrictions-on-individuals-in-mexico-facilitating-illegal-immigration-to-the-united-states
• U.S. Department of State Press Statement, "Imposition of Visa Restrictions on Uzbekistanis Facilitating Illegal Immigration to the United States" (2026-02-19): https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/02/imposition-of-visa-restrictions-on-uzbekistanis-facilitating-illegal-immigration-to-the-united-states/
• U.S. Department of State Press Statement, "Visa Restrictions on Travel Agencies Facilitating Illegal Immigration to the United States" (2025-05-19): https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/05/visa-restrictions-on-travel-agencies-facilitating-illegal-immigration-to-the-united-states
• U.S. Department of State Biography of Juan Pablo Segura: https://www.state.gov/biographies/juan-pablo-segura/
• State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott on X: https://x.com/statedeptspox/status/2115897245581095012
• Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Juan Pablo Segura on X: https://x.com/WHAAsstSecty/status/2115901666331599295
• U.S. Embassy in Mexico on X: https://x.com/USEmbassyMEX/status/2106038823721292107 , https://x.com/USEmbassyMEX/status/2111840224665845934 ,: https://x.com/USEmbassyMEX/status/2112198374053024040
• U.S. Embassy in Honduras on X: https://x.com/usembassyhn/status/2106068660557099135 ,: https://x.com/usembassyhn/status/2108029673254830342
• U.S. Embassy in El Salvador on X: https://x.com/USEmbassySV/status/2107556797791842433 ,: https://x.com/USEmbassySV/status/2109343414076805271
• U.S. Embassy in Guatemala on X: https://x.com/usembassyguate/status/2108342448963408242 , https://x.com/usembassyguate/status/2110387237775097914 ,: https://x.com/usembassyguate/status/2111887629788590217
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security on X: https://x.com/DHSgov/status/2105661175669109142