The Trump administration announced on Wednesday that it will suspend processing of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries as part of an intensifying immigration crackdown, a State Department spokesperson said.
The suspension, set to begin on January 21, will affect nationals from Latin America, including Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay; the Balkans, such as Bosnia and Albania; South Asia, including Pakistan and Bangladesh; as well as numerous countries in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
A State Department cable seen by Reuters said the move follows a “full review” of policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure “the highest level of screening and vetting” for all U.S. visa applicants. Officials cited indications that nationals from these countries have sought public benefits in the United States.
“Applicants from these countries are at a high risk for becoming a public charge and recourse to local, state and federal government resources in the United States,” the cable said.
The suspension does not affect visitor visas, which remain crucial as the U.S. prepares to host the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. U.S. consular officers have been instructed to refuse any applicants whose visas have been “print-authorized” but not yet issued, or printed but not yet collected.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” said Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the State Department.
Trump’s administration has pursued a broad crackdown on immigration, both legal and illegal, since returning to office in January. This includes sending federal agents to U.S. cities and imposing stricter rules on H-1B visas for highly skilled workers.
Critics argue the policy unfairly targets legal immigrants. David Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at Cato, called it “the most anti-legal immigration agenda in American history” and said it could turn away about 315,000 legal immigrants over the next year alone.
Since taking office, the administration has revoked more than 100,000 visas, tightened social media vetting, and expanded screening procedures. Trump has repeatedly framed a tougher stance on immigration as necessary following high levels of illegal entry under his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden.
The 75 countries affected include 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 and Yemen.
