The United States (US) freezes immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, citing public charge concerns. The indefinite Trump administration policy impacts family, employment, and humanitarian visas, raising global concerns over US immigration restrictions.
The United States has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, marking a significant shift in immigration policy under the Trump administration. The move, effective from January 21, has been justified by concerns that certain immigrants could become a “public charge” and rely on American welfare and public benefit programs.
According to a directive issued by the US State Department, consular officers around the world have been instructed to halt the processing of immigrant visas while the department conducts a comprehensive reassessment of its screening and vetting procedures under existing immigration laws. The pause applies exclusively to immigrant visas, which grant permanent residence in the United States.
State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott defended the decision, stating that the administration is determined to prevent what it describes as abuse of the US immigration system. “The Trump administration is bringing an end to the exploitation of America’s immigration framework by individuals who seek to extract wealth from the American people,” Pigott said in an official statement.
He further emphasized that the State Department would exercise its long-standing authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to deem applicants ineligible if they are likely to become a public charge. “The department will use its legal authority to prevent potential immigrants from exploiting the generosity of American taxpayers,” Pigott added.
The suspension is based on the “public charge” provision of US immigration law, which allows authorities to deny entry to individuals deemed likely to depend on government assistance. A State Department memo, first reported by Fox News Digital, instructs consular officers to refuse immigrant visas under this provision during the review period. The memo describes the pause as indefinite, with no clear timeline for when visa processing will resume.
The White House publicly reinforced the policy through a social media statement. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the freeze in a post on X, stating that the United States had halted visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, and Iran. However, officials have not yet released an official or complete list of all affected countries.
Media reports indicate that the suspension spans multiple regions, impacting countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Nations reportedly affected include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Thailand, Brazil, Iran, Somalia, and Russia, among others. The wide geographic scope of the pause has raised concerns among immigrant advocacy groups and international observers.
The administration has clarified that exceptions to the freeze will be “very limited.” Any exemption will only be considered after applicants have undergone heightened scrutiny and cleared public charge concerns. Officials noted that humanitarian or national interest considerations could apply in rare cases, but no detailed criteria have been publicly disclosed.
Immigrant visas play a critical role in the US immigration system, covering family-sponsored green cards, employment-based immigration, and certain humanitarian pathways. These visas lead to lawful permanent residency, allowing recipients to live and work in the United States indefinitely. The current freeze does not apply to non-immigrant visas, which are issued for temporary purposes such as tourism, business travel, education, short-term employment, investment, or diplomatic assignments.
Legal experts note that the move could significantly delay family reunifications and employment-based immigration processes, potentially affecting thousands of applicants worldwide. Critics argue that the policy could disproportionately impact developing nations and undermine America’s long-standing reputation as a destination for immigrants.
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Supporters of the decision, however, maintain that stricter enforcement of public charge rules is necessary to protect US taxpayers and ensure the sustainability of social welfare programs. They argue that immigration policy should prioritize self-sufficiency and economic contribution.
As the State Department continues its reassessment, uncertainty remains over how long the freeze will last and whether the list of affected countries could expand or change. Until further notice, immigrant visa applicants from the impacted nations face prolonged delays, adding to global concerns over the future direction of US immigration policy.
