In the latest move in its crackdown, the Trump administration has halted visa processing for immigrants from 75 countries.
According to the Associated Press, the State Department announced the news on January 14. The immigrant visa processing pause will begin January 21. ABC News reported that the State Department issued a designated directive to embassies and consulates. The Trump administration claims that the measure tackles potential immigrants in the United States who it believes are likely to utilize public assistance.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott shared that the department will exercise its power “to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States, and exploit the generosity of the American people.”
“The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” stated Pigott. “Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”
Notably, many of the 75 countries are also included on the Trump administration’s most recent list of countries with travel bans.
What Are The Targeted Countries?
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, 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.
What Else Is There To Know About The Trump Administration’s Halt On Immigrant Visa Processing?
Applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, or those for tourism or business, will not be impacted. Included in that non-affected group are tourists planning to visit the U.S. during the 2026 World Cup.
Back in November, the State Department reportedly directed consular officers all over the world to screen more intensively for immigrants who may require public assistance once in the U.S. The AP noted that the more thorough screening includes consideration of the applicant’s family status, finances, past use of public assistance (in any country), age, English proficiency, and more.
