Published on May 10, 2025 by shekulli_admin
S. Berisha, the former Albanian prime minister and current leader of the Democratic Party, has twice attempted to obtain a U.S. visa despite being designated persona non grata by the United States—but both requests have been ignored by the U.S. State Department, local media say.
Though Berisha publicly claimed in a press conference that he had never applied for a U.S. visa since leaving office in 2013, newly revealed documents tell a different story.
According to filings registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the lobbying firm Continental—under a $6 million contract with the Democratic Party of Albania—submitted two separate requests on Berisha’s behalf.
The first request, dated March 28, was signed by representatives of several Albanian-American organizations, including Nuredin Seci, the financial guarantor of the lobbying contract. The letter, addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, asked for the issuance of a short-term, single-entry visa for Berisha.
The Document
After more than a month without any response from the U.S. Department of State, Continental PLLC, a law firm affiliated with Continental Strategy, submitted a second letter on May 1, 2025. This correspondence again urged Secretary Rubio to reconsider and lift the sanctions against Berisha.
The Letter (Excerpt)
May 1, 2025
Dear Alberto,
Thank you for your time today. You asked us to clarify the unique aspects of the visa sanctions program under Section 7031, which prevents President Sali Berisha from simply submitting a request letter for an exemption.
Section 7031(c) is an entirely political process. The Global Magnitsky Act does not create any formal mechanism for exemptions, applications, or appeals. Instead, it grants the Secretary of State full authority to designate or delist individuals, and to issue waivers if deemed in the national interest or if circumstances have significantly changed.
The decision lies solely with the Secretary and cannot be compelled by the sanctioned individual or their legal counsel. Judicial review is not permitted under this provision, as confirmed in the case Bautista-Rosario v. Mnuchin. A more recent ruling, Rahmani v. Yellen (2024), reaffirmed that courts have no authority to review such executive decisions.
Therefore, President Berisha’s case is compelling: he is a staunch opponent of Russian influence, and his designation was politically motivated by the previous administration. The upcoming elections in Albania and the need for him to lead efforts among the Albanian-American diaspora constitute a clear “compelling national interest.”
President Berisha has consistently sought an official review process and the chance to present exculpatory information. His supporters in the U.S. submitted an official petition to the State Department on March 28, 2025.
At this point, the only remaining path for resolution lies with the Secretary.
Respectfully,
Craig D. Yoe, Esq.
CONTINENTAL PLLC
Despite these efforts, Berisha’s appeals have been denied, and he remains blacklisted by the U.S. administration. The documents confirm that he has sought to travel to the United States on two occasions, contradicting his public claims and reinforcing the firm stance of the U.S. State Department.