Summary
- U.S. suspends immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries.
- Policy takes effect January 21, 2026, according to the U.S. State Department.
- Countries affected span Africa, Latin America, South Asia, the Balkans, and the Caribbean.
- U.S. cites risk of “public charge” and welfare dependency as justification.
- Critics warn the move sharply restricts legal immigration, not just illegal entry.
- Policy is part of President Donald Trump’s renewed hardline immigration crackdown.
What the U.S. Has Announced
WASHINGTON, Jan 14 — The United States has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, escalating President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, according to a State Department spokesperson cited by Reuters.
The suspension, set to begin on January 21, affects countries across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, the Balkans, and the Caribbean, including Brazil, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Colombia, Bosnia, and Albania.
A State Department cable reviewed by Reuters states that the pause is part of a “full review” of immigration policies aimed at strengthening screening and vetting procedures. The department argues that nationals from affected countries pose a high risk of becoming a “public charge”, meaning immigrants who may rely on U.S. government assistance.
Who Is Affected
According to the State Department cable:
“Applicants from these countries are at a high risk for becoming a public charge and recourse to local, state, and federal government resources.”
The suspension does not apply to visitor or tourist visas, a notable exemption as the U.S. prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.
When the Policy Starts
The move follows a November directive instructing U.S. diplomats to ensure immigrant visa applicants demonstrate financial self-sufficiency. Consular officers have been ordered to refuse visas that have been approved but not yet printed or released.
Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the State Department, defended the decision, stating the government will continue to deny entry to individuals likely to rely on public benefits.
Criticism and Concerns
Critics argue the policy goes beyond targeting illegal immigration. David Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute, warned that the suspension could block nearly half of all legal immigrants to the U.S., potentially affecting over 315,000 people within a year.
“This administration has proven itself to have the most anti-legal immigration agenda in American history,” Bier said.
Since Trump returned to office in January, his administration has:
- Revoked more than 100,000 visas.
- Expanded social media vetting.
- Imposed higher fees on legal immigration pathways such as H-1B visas for skilled workers.
Trump argues that tougher immigration controls are necessary after years of high illegal immigration under the previous administration. In November, he pledged to “permanently pause” migration from what he described as “Third World Countries,” following a deadly security incident near the White House.
Full List of Affected Countries
The 75 countries impacted by the suspension are:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, 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, Yemen.
