US suspends immigrant visa applications in 75 countries News
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US suspends immigrant visa applications in 75 countries

The US State Department announced on Wednesday that it will suspend the ability for citizens of 75 countries to obtain immigrant visas beginning on January 21.

The affected countries include Latin American countries like Brazil and Colombia, South Asian countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, and multiple countries in the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. The State Department, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stated that it issued instructions to these countries’ immigration offices to halt the processing of immigrant visa applications.

The suspension allows the State Department to review each country’s immigration guidelines. The State Department said:

President Trump has made clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not be a financial burden to Americans.  The Department of State is undergoing a full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge.

The announcement clarified that tourist visas will not be affected, since they are nonimmigrant visas. Increased demand for tourist visas is likely in coming years, as the US will host or co-host the 2026 and 2028 Olympic games.

The action continues the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration and fraud in the US. Trump restricted immigration from countries like Syria and South Sudan in December in accordance with a November directive. The November directive carried the purpose of tightening immigration rules for those who may become “public charges” in the US. The directive instructed US Embassy and consulate officials to thoroughly vet immigration applicants to ensure that they will not need to rely on public benefits from the government any time after there entry into the US.

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