US Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries Citing Public Charge Concerns
WASHINGTON — The State Department announced Wednesday that it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia. The indefinite pause, which is scheduled to take effect on January 21, aims to allow federal agencies time to review and tighten screening procedures related to the “public charge” rule.
According to a department memo, consular officers have been instructed to halt the adjudication of immigrant visas—those used by individuals seeking permanent residency—while the administration reassesses vetting protocols. The primary focus of the review is to prevent the entry of foreign nationals deemed likely to rely on government welfare or public assistance. A State Department spokesperson stated that the processing freeze would remain in place until officials can ensure that new immigrants “will not extract wealth from the American people.”
While the full list of 75 nations has not been officially released in its entirety, reports indicate it includes a diverse array of countries such as Brazil, Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Thailand, and Yemen. The inclusion of major economies like Brazil and Thailand marks a significant expansion of visa restrictions compared to previous travel bans, which largely targeted nations with specific security concerns or diplomatic tensions. The current suspension reportedly does not apply to non-immigrant visas, such as those for temporary business or tourism, though officials noted that these categories could also face heightened scrutiny in the future.
The announcement has drawn immediate objection from immigration advocates and legal experts. Critics argue that the move effectively functions as a moratorium on legal immigration for nearly half the world’s population, bypassing legislative debate to implement a restrictionist agenda. “This action will ban a significant portion of legal immigrants to the United States,” noted a policy analyst from the Cato Institute. Humanitarian groups have also expressed concern that the indefinite timeline leaves thousands of families in limbo, particularly those fleeing instability in countries like Afghanistan and Somalia who have already undergone years of vetting.
The “public charge” provision has been a part of U.S. immigration law for decades, designed to ensure that incoming residents can support themselves financially. However, its enforcement has varied significantly across different administrations. This latest move signals a return to a strict interpretation of the law, where factors such as age, health, and financial status are weighed heavily against an applicant’s eligibility. The decision also follows recent federal scrutiny regarding welfare fraud investigations in Minnesota, which officials have cited as a catalyst for the stricter review of applicants from Somalia.
The State Department has confirmed that the suspension is temporary pending the outcome of the review, but no timeline has been provided for when visa services for the affected countries will resume.
