The Bangladesh government will formulate a strategy in response to the recent cancellation of US immigrant visas, according to Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday afternoon, she said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the national security adviser would work together to develop an action plan to address the issue with the United States.

Hasan explained that the announcement of the visa cancellation had just been made, and the government would now begin discussions on the matter. She noted that Bangladesh is among 75 countries affected by the US decision, which targets nations from where large numbers of immigrants seek political asylum or become dependent on social services abroad. She emphasized that the decision was made by the US government and that Bangladesh would assess its position and next steps.

The adviser added that the government learned of the decision only the previous day and would engage in talks to determine an appropriate course of action.