CBC News – The U.S. State Department said Wednesday it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia, whose nationals the Trump administration has deemed likely to require public assistance while living in the United States.
The State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said it had instructed consular officers to halt immigrant visa applications from the countries affected in accordance with a broader order issued in November that tightened rules around potential immigrants who might become “public charges” in the U.S.
The suspension, which will begin Jan. 21, will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, or temporary tourist or business visas, who make up the vast majority of visa seekers.
Demand for non-immigrant visas is expected to rise dramatically in the coming months and years due to the upcoming 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, both of which the U.S. will host or co-host.
“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.”
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has already severely restricted immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing for citizens of dozens of countries, many of them in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The November guidance on which Wednesday’s decision is based directed U.S. Embassy and Consulate officials to comprehensively and thoroughly vet visa applicants to demonstrate that they will not need to rely on public benefits from the government any time after their admission in the U.S.
While federal law already required those seeking permanent residency or legal status to prove they wouldn’t be a public charge, Trump in his first term widened the range of benefit programs that could disqualify applicants, and the guidelines in the cable appear to go further in scope.
Immigrants seeking entry into the U.S. already undergo a medical exam by a physician who’s been approved by a U.S. Embassy. They are screened for communicable diseases, like tuberculosis, and asked to disclose any history of drug or alcohol use, mental health conditions or violence. They’re also required to have a number of vaccinations.
U.S. President Donald Trump suspended the country’s support for 66 international organizations, including the UN treaty that establishes international climate negotiations, as the U.S. further retreats from global co-operation.
The new directive expanded those with more specific requirements. It said consular officials must consider a range of specific details about people seeking visas, including their age, health, family status, finances, education, skills and any past use of public assistance regardless of the country.
It also said they should assess applicants’ English proficiency and can do so by conducting interviews in English.
Experts said at the time it could further limit who gets to enter the country at a time when the Republican administration is already tightening those rules.
The countries affected by the suspension announced on Wednesday are:
The preceeding was originally published by CBC as reported by the Associated Press. Original Article can be found here.
Pamela Robinson, global speaker, corporate trainer, and founder of Fusion Force, is making an impact across South Africa with a… Read More
Our tendency is to take the easy way out and force ourselves to forget depressing thoughts, as a survival mechanism.… Read More
We need cooperation to promote innovative, science-based techniques, in order to ensure that agriculture is more attractive to the next… Read More
Meanwhile, who better to name STAR Person of the Year 2025? When he was still new to the mined field… Read More
OECS - The Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) met in Saint Lucia on 13th January… Read More
The Saint Lucian media landscape is in mourning today following the heartbreaking news of the passing of Lisa Joseph. Read More
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. No personally identifiable information is stored.