Fiji ‘brought it upon ourselves’ over US visa suspension: PM

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabu­ka says Fiji has "brought it upon ourselves" after illegal Fijian immigrants in the United States triggered the suspension of Fiji's immigration visa applica­tions.

The move follows tighter immigra­tion rules imposed by the Donald Trump administration, with Fiji af­fected because of the high number of its citizens overstaying visitor vi­sas and living illegally in the United States.

The PM said the decision was based on the number of Fijians who had remained in the U.S. without authority.

"It is based on the number of na­tionals who are overstaying their visitors’ visas,” Mr Rabuka said. 

“We rank very highly. They are illegal immigrants. They are there without authority and must be dealt with according to the law of the United States.” 

Fiji is the only Pacific country among 75 nations affected by the U.S State Department decision. 

“It is we, all our citizens, who brought it upon ourselves,” Mr Rabuka said. 

“We have to take the bull by the horns and make sure we comply with the new rules that will be placed on us.” 

Mr Rabuka said he was informed of the decision and the reasons behind it by outgoing United States Ambassador to Fiji, Marie Damour. 

On Wednesday, the U.S State Department said the move was part of a broader order issued in November to tighten immigration controls, particularly targeting migrants who may become “public charges”. 

“The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” the department said. 

As of November 2024, U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) listed 353 Fijians with final orders of removal, placing Fiji at the top among Pacific Island nations. 

The ICE list, titled Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship, showed Samoa with 57 cases, Solomon Islands with three (3) and Tuvalu with one (1). 

In January last year, Minister for Defence Pio Tikoduadua confirmed the Government was aware of several Fijians in the United States involved in drug-related crimes who were facing deportation.