US Pauses Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries Under Trump
The United States has imposed an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, tightening legal immigration routes under President Donald Trump.
The decision forms part of a wider push to curb both illegal and legal immigration since Trump returned to office earlier this year.
State Department Targets Welfare Dependence
The US State Department said on Wednesday that the move aims to stop abuse of the immigration system. Officials accused some applicants of using welfare and public benefits at the expense of American taxpayers.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to block applicants likely to become a public charge,” said Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
Marco Rubio Oversees Visa Review
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead a review of visa screening procedures. The department says the process will strengthen checks and prevent reliance on public assistance.
According to the Associated Press, the State Department has instructed consular officers to stop processing immigrant visa applications from the affected countries.
Tourist and Business Visas Unaffected
The suspension will take effect on January 21. However, it does not affect non-immigrant visas.
Tourist and business travel will continue without interruption.
Before the expansion, the administration had already stopped immigrant visa processing for nationals of Brazil, Iran, Russia and Somalia.
Security Concerns Drive Policy Shift
The administration has tightened migration rules for countries it considers security risks. These include Russia, Iran, Afghanistan and several African states.
After authorities charged an Afghan immigrant over the November shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, DC, the administration restricted entry for nationals of 19 countries.
Earlier Bans Still Apply
In December, the White House widened the travel ban. It added five more countries and travellers using Palestinian Authority-issued documents.
The government has also paused asylum claims, citizenship processing and green card applications for immigrants from the original group of banned countries.
Affected Countries
The suspension affects Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
