Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jan 15: The United States State Department on Wednesday announced that it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia, citing concerns that applicants from these nations are more likely to require public assistance while living in the country.
The decision, taken under the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, follows a broader directive issued in November that tightened immigration rules for individuals who could become a “public charge” in the US. Consular officers have been instructed to halt immigrant visa applications from the listed countries as part of a reassessment of immigration processing procedures.
The suspension, set to take effect from January 21, will not apply to non-immigrant visas such as tourist, student or business visas. These temporary visas account for the majority of applications, and officials expect demand to rise sharply in the coming years due to major global events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games, both of which the US will host or co-host.
“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,” the State Department said in a statement. “Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while procedures are reviewed to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who may rely on welfare and public benefits.”
President Donald Trump’s administration has already imposed sweeping restrictions on immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing for citizens of several countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. While US law has long required immigrants seeking permanent residency to prove they would not become a public charge, Trump expanded the scope of disqualifying benefits during his first term. The latest guidance appears to extend these measures further.
Under existing rules, immigrants undergo mandatory medical examinations by US Embassy-approved physicians and are screened for communicable diseases, substance abuse, mental health conditions and histories of violence. They must also meet vaccination requirements.
The new directive broadens scrutiny, requiring consular officials to consider applicants’ age, health, family status, financial resources, education, skills and any past use of public assistance, irrespective of their country of origin. Officials have also been instructed to assess English proficiency, including through interviews conducted in English.
Experts have warned that the move could further narrow access to immigration at a time when the Republican administration is already tightening entry requirements.
The countries affected by the suspension include 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.