US slaps visa sanctions on Myanmar, Laos

The United States imposed visa sanctions on Myanmar and Laos on Tuesday after both nations refused to take back immigrants Washington wants to deport, reports the Time.

In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said American officials made "diplomatic communications at the highest level of government" in the two countries before the decision.

The two Southeast Asian nations become part of the running list of countries which have delayed or declined to accept nationals slated for expulsion from the US and are among those the Trump administration has retaliated against with visa restrictions.

The State Department has stopped issuing certain types of visas to higher-level officials until Myanmar and Laos agree to accept the citizens.

If the countries continue not to cooperate with the US, the State Department will expand the visa sanctions to additional visa groups in that country.

In Myanmar, the restrictions will affect some employees of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population and Ministry of Home Affairs and their family members.