Wole Soyinka, Nigeria's 1986 Nobel laureate, has had his US visa revoked by the Trump administration. The playwright and critic, known for speaking truth to power, revealed on Tuesday that he is no longer welcome in the US after years of residency.
Soyinka had previously held permanent residency but destroyed his green card following Donald Trump's first election in 2016. Now, it appears his outspoken criticism of Trump may have sealed his fate. Comparing the former president to Ugandan dictator Idi Amin might have struck a nerve with US officials, according to Soyinka.
The move comes amid a wider crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration. However, Soyinka is not one to shy away from controversy. He has consistently spoken out against human rights abuses and corruption in Nigeria.
Soyinka's comments about Trump were deemed so provocative that he was called back into the US consulate for an interview to reassess his visa status. He refused to attend, citing concerns over the legitimacy of the invitation.
In a letter to Soyinka, the US embassy cited "state department regulations" allowing them to revoke non-immigrant visas in their discretion. Soyinka took the news in stride, jokingly calling the letter a "curious love letter from an embassy."
The Trump administration has made revoking visa for outspoken critics a hallmark of its immigration policy. However, Soyinka remains unfazed. He believes his work as a writer and playwright serves as a form of activism, holding those in power accountable.
While the US embassy refused to comment on individual cases due to confidentiality rules, it is clear that Soyinka's words have not gone unnoticed. As he quipped, "I'm banned." Despite this, Soyinka leaves open the possibility of revisiting the US should circumstances change – but for now, he appears content with life outside the country.
Soyinka had previously held permanent residency but destroyed his green card following Donald Trump's first election in 2016. Now, it appears his outspoken criticism of Trump may have sealed his fate. Comparing the former president to Ugandan dictator Idi Amin might have struck a nerve with US officials, according to Soyinka.
The move comes amid a wider crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration. However, Soyinka is not one to shy away from controversy. He has consistently spoken out against human rights abuses and corruption in Nigeria.
Soyinka's comments about Trump were deemed so provocative that he was called back into the US consulate for an interview to reassess his visa status. He refused to attend, citing concerns over the legitimacy of the invitation.
In a letter to Soyinka, the US embassy cited "state department regulations" allowing them to revoke non-immigrant visas in their discretion. Soyinka took the news in stride, jokingly calling the letter a "curious love letter from an embassy."
The Trump administration has made revoking visa for outspoken critics a hallmark of its immigration policy. However, Soyinka remains unfazed. He believes his work as a writer and playwright serves as a form of activism, holding those in power accountable.
While the US embassy refused to comment on individual cases due to confidentiality rules, it is clear that Soyinka's words have not gone unnoticed. As he quipped, "I'm banned." Despite this, Soyinka leaves open the possibility of revisiting the US should circumstances change – but for now, he appears content with life outside the country.
Oh man I am literally so proud of Wole Soyinka right now!! He's not afraid to speak truth to power and that takes major courage 
! I'm like totally loving his 'curious love letter from an embassy' joke, it shows he's got a great sense of humor too 
. Revoking his visa is no big deal for him, he's all about spreading awareness and holding those in power accountable through his work as a writer and playwright 
. I'm totes rooting for this Nigerian legend to keep speaking out against human rights abuses and corruption 
. He may be banned from the US but I'm pretty sure his words will still make waves worldwide 
!
Can you believe this? I mean, I get it, Trump's a tough guy to deal with and all that, but revoking Wole Soyinka's visa just because he spoke truth to power? That's some messed up stuff right there 
. I'm from the States and even we know that silencing critics is not how you run a country. What's next, banning authors for speaking out against injustice? 
The whole thing just feels super fishy to me... I mean, what's next? Revoking visas for people who speak out against social injustice? 
It sounds like an attempt to silence critics and stifle dissent. And let's be real, the comparison to Idi Amin wasn't exactly a veiled attack... it was a factual statement about Trump's behavior during his presidency 
. Wole Soyinka has always been unapologetic in his views, and now he's being punished for it? It's like the US is trying to say that free speech doesn't apply to those who hold power 
. I'm not surprised he's taking it in stride, though... the man knows how to speak truth to power 
.
️! It's like they expect everyone to keep their mouth shut just 'cause of politics 
. Newsflash: writers have a responsibility to speak out against injustice 
. Wole Soyinka may not be welcome in the US, but his words are still making waves worldwide 
. The fact that they're revoking visas for outspoken critics is basically censorship 
. It's chilling to think about who might be next on their list 
.
. And now they're revoking his visa because he made some comments about Trump? That's just gonna fuel more controversy and attention 
. I wish they'd chill out and let Soyinka keep doing his thing - he's got a platform to speak out for what's right, not just in Nigeria but all over the world 
It's not like he was threatening national security or anything... just sharing his opinion. And comparing Trump to Idi Amin might've been a stretch, but I guess that's what got him in trouble 
The US government needs to get its act together and respect artists' right to free expression 
.
. Wole Soyinka has dedicated his life to human rights and speaking out against corruption – you'd think that would be celebrated, not banned 
. Trump's admin is seriously trying to silence anyone who dares to speak out against corruption & human rights abuses 
. Revoking his visa is just another way for them to show their hand, imo 
. Hope he's okay with life outside the US, because it looks like he's good to go 
I'm literally dying over here