Hasina's US visa status unclear, UK clarifies asylum rules

Amid growing queries on visa status of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others the United States has said the visa records are confidential under US law, reports UNB.

"Visa records are confidential under U.S. law; therefore, we do not discuss the details of individual visa cases," a spokesperson at the US Embassy in Dhaka told reporters on Tuesday following multiple queries.

Many journalists reached out to the US officials reportedly to confirm the United States has revoked Sheikh Hasina's, her sister's, the former government's ministers, advisors and officials' US visas.

Meanwhile, the UK Home Office has clarified that British immigration rules do not permit individuals to travel to the UK specifically to seek asylum or temporary refuge. This statement comes amid widespread speculation that ousted Bangladeshi former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently in India, may fly to London to claim asylum.

A UK Home Office spokesperson told NDTV, "The UK has a proud record of providing protection for people who need it. However, there is no provision for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge. Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach-that is the fastest route to safety."