DV Communique

Communique regarding Diversity Visa

The Embassy of the United States of America wishes to communicate the following points to the demonstrators of the DV  Committee:
 
The Embassy has not opposed the demonstrations taking place in front of our building since Friday, April 18 as we respect freedom of speech and consider it a fundamental human right.

We understand the disappointment and the frustration that the members of your committee may have felt when they were denied a visa for the United States. Nevertheless, we are taking this opportunity to reiterate that the fees related to the Diversity Visa program are administrative procedures fees and not a visa issuance fee.  It is clearly stipulated that these fees are not reimbursed under any circumstance. We are therefore legally unable to reimburse these fees. Your continued demonstration will not change this fact.

We want to take this opportunity to clarify some erroneous rumors circulating around Lomé which may incite false hopes among you. In spite of what anyone may claim:

- There is currently no reexamination of any DV file; this means that the Consul is not examining any file from previous years nor is it permissible to do so.

- The U.S. Congress has not changed and does not have any intentions of changing  visa law to allow the reexamination of these cases.

- Neither the Consulate, the Embassy, nor any staff member has the power to reimburse the DV related fees to the demonstrators; it is simply illegal.

-  There are no provisions to reverse the initial decision of visa denial, and no demonstrator has ever been issued a visa after a final denial.

-  The Embassy has never provided a plane to transport visa applicants to the United States.

- The Embassy is not negotiating with Togolese authorities for the reexamination of denied cases.

We strongly recommend that you do not contribute money to any person or organization who claims to have power to influence your visa case, or whoever makes you believe that the reexamination is in progress. These people have no authority in the process and are making money from influence they do not have.

We thank you for your attention, and we appreciate  your understanding