The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for nationals from 75 countries whose applicants are considered likely to require public assistance while living in the United States.
In a statement posted on X, the department said the decision was made in response to concerns that migrants from certain countries “take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.” The suspension is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to enforce stricter standards on immigration eligibility, particularly regarding the use of public benefits.
US suspends visa processing for 75 countries
The department confirmed that the pause will affect dozens of countries, including Somalia, Haiti, Iran and Eritrea. While officials did not release a full list of the 75 countries impacted, the administration has already restricted immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing for numerous nations, many of them in Africa.
A U.S. official familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that the list of affected countries also includes Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil and Egypt.
According to the State Department, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, consular officers have been instructed to halt immigrant visa applications in line with a November order that tightened rules governing potential migrants who could become “public charges” to the United States. The policy expands scrutiny of applicants’ financial stability and likelihood of relying on government assistance after arrival.
When will it come into effect?
The suspension is scheduled to take effect on January 21. State Department officials emphasized that the measure applies only to immigrant visas and does not affect non-immigrant visas, including temporary tourist or business travel permits.
The announcement is expected to draw criticism from immigrant advocacy groups, which argue that the policy unfairly targets applicants based on nationality and economic background. Supporters of the measure, however, say it is necessary to protect U.S. public resources and ensure that new immigrants are financially self-sufficient.
The State Department has not indicated how long the suspension will remain in place or whether additional countries could be added to the list in the future.
