Turkey and the U.S. Suspend Visa Issuance for Each Other's Citizens

Following the arrest of a local staff member at the U.S. consulate in Istanbul on charges of 'espionage,' Washington and Ankara announced that they would suspend and limit visa processing for each other's citizens. Major restrictions on visa issuance occurred after the U.S. Embassy in Ankara announced on October 8 that it was suspending services related to any non-immigrant visas for Turkish citizens. This decision was made following the arrest of a staff member at the U.S. consulate. The U.S. Embassy's statement indicated that recent events had compelled the center to 'reassess the Turkish government's commitments regarding the security of U.S. mission facilities and personnel.' The statement further noted that the suspension of non-immigrant visa processing would be 'immediately implemented.' Immigrant visas are issued to individuals seeking to reside and live in the United States. Shortly after this statement, Turkey issued a similar announcement, stating that it was suspending 'non-immigrant visa issuance' for American citizens. However, an hour later, another statement was issued announcing that Ankara would 'immediately halt all visa services at its diplomatic missions and consulates' for American citizens. New tensions arose after Turkish media reported the arrest of a local staff member at the U.S. consulate in Istanbul, accused of connections to a group linked to Fethullah Gülen, a cleric critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government. Erdoğan's government considers Gülen the mastermind behind last year's failed coup and describes the movement stemming from his ideology as a 'terrorist group.' Gülen resides in the United States, and Turkey has been seeking his extradition. Gülen has denied any connection to last year's coup in Turkey. The Turkish state news agency reported that the arrested individual has been officially charged with 'espionage' and attempting to overthrow the Turkish government. Last week, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara stated that the United States is 'deeply concerned' about the arrest of this Turkish citizen and believes that 'the charges are entirely unwarranted.' In addition to the Gülen issue, U.S.-Turkey relations have been affected by several other matters, one of the most significant being Washington's support for the Kurdish YPG militants in Syria during the fight against ISIS. Ankara also considers this group a 'terrorist organization' due to its links to the PKK. Washington has denied this accusation; the YPG, a mainly Kurdish militia, is one of the key ground forces supported by the U.S.-led coalition in the fight against ISIS. Ankara and Washington also have clear disagreements over accusations against security officials accompanying Erdoğan in the U.S. due to clashes with protesters, and the case of Reza Zarrab and the indictment issued against several former Turkish government officials.