The United States Department of State has announced the suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, citing the need to review screening procedures regarding public assistance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed consular officers to halt these applications starting January 21, 2026, marking a significant tightening of admissibility standards under the current administration.
According to State Department officials, the pause is necessary to reassess vetting protocols and ensure that incoming foreign nationals do not become “public charges” dependent on taxpayer-funded welfare programs. The suspension applies specifically to immigrant visas—those intended for individuals seeking permanent residence—while non-immigrant visas for temporary business or tourism remain unaffected.
“Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” the department said in a statement released Wednesday. The administration framed the move as an effort to “end the abuse of America’s immigration system” and protect the country’s economic resources.
While the full list of 75 nations has not been officially released in its entirety, reports indicate that the affected countries include Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Thailand, and Yemen. The policy follows a broader directive issued in November 2025, which instructed diplomatic missions to enforce stricter compliance with public charge provisions in U.S. immigration law. These provisions allow consular officers to deny entry to applicants based on factors such as age, health, financial status, and English proficiency if they are deemed likely to rely on government subsistence.
The decision has drawn immediate scrutiny from immigration advocacy groups and legal experts, who argue that the suspension functions as a de facto ban on legal immigration from large swathes of the globe. Critics contend that the “public charge” rule has historically been used to disproportionately target low-income applicants and those from developing nations, potentially separating families with valid sponsorship claims. Objections have also been raised regarding the indefinite nature of the suspension, as no end date for the procedural review has been provided.
Government officials, however, have pointed to specific instances of fraud as justification for the crackdown. The State Department referenced recent investigations into welfare fraud schemes, including a high-profile case in Minnesota involving the misappropriation of taxpayer funds, as evidence of systemic vulnerabilities that require immediate attention.
This policy represents a reinstatement and expansion of restrictions similar to those attempted during previous administrations, which sought to link visa eligibility more tightly to financial self-sufficiency. The suspension is set to remain in effect until the State Department concludes its review of the vetting standards.
