iTV.ge | “This restriction will apply to those responsible and accomplices in undermining Georgian democracy and their families.”

The U.S. Embassy in Georgia released a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the Dreamer visa restrictions:

“Over the past few months, the ruling Georgian Dream party has drafted and passed a ‘foreign influence’ law that will stifle freedom of assembly and expression, undermine organizations that serve Georgian citizens, and hinder independent media organizations dedicated to providing Georgians with high-quality access to information. Since Georgian citizens raised their voices against the law, we have seen clear signs of a campaign of intimidation and violence to silence peaceful dissent, and repressive tactics used to quash legitimate dissent. This undermines Georgia’s democracy and fundamental freedoms, which empower the Georgian people, and runs counter to Georgia’s long-standing constitutional goals of Euro-Atlantic integration and a strategic partnership with the United States.

In response to these actions, the State Department is adopting a new visa restriction policy for Georgia that will apply to individuals and their family members who are responsible for and complicit in undermining Georgia’s democracy. This includes individuals who have restricted civil society and freedom of peaceful assembly in Georgia through a campaign of violence and intimidation.

The United States’ long-standing support for Georgia’s democracy is fundamental to our bilateral relationship. Under this policy, anyone who undermines Georgia’s democratic processes or institutions, including before, during, and after Georgia’s October 2024 elections, may be denied a visa or travel to the United States. These restrictions may also apply to the immediate family members of these individuals.

Separately, today I am beginning a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation between the United States and Georgia. We hope that Georgian leaders will reconsider this act and take steps to advance their country’s democracy and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We will review the relationship between our two countries, and we will take Georgia’s actions into account when we make our decisions.

This visa restriction policy is governed by Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and permits the State Department to impose visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members, whether they are current or former state or non-state actors, who are responsible for obstructing the exercise of civil or political rights or conspiring to undermine democracy in Georgia, including through the use of violence, force, or coercion,” Antony Blinken said in a statement.