The Trump administration has instituted an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, marking one of the most substantial expansions of immigration restrictions since the president’s return to office. The policy shift, announced by the State Department on Wednesday, takes effect January 21st and represents a fundamental recalibration of legal immigration pathways into the United States.
Principal Deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott characterized the move as necessary to combat systemic exploitation, stating the administration aims to prevent those who “would extract wealth from the American people” through welfare and public benefits. The comprehensive review will temporarily halt processing while the State Department reassesses procedures under Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s leadership.
This development builds upon existing restrictions targeting Brazil, Iran, Russia, and Somalia, though the complete list of affected nations remains undisclosed. Notably, the suspension exclusively applies to immigrant visas seeking permanent residency, maintaining provisions for non-immigrant, tourist, and business travel documentation.
The policy escalation follows heightened national security measures implemented after a November incident where an Afghan immigrant was charged with shooting two National Guard members in Washington, DC. That event triggered bans affecting 19 countries, subsequently expanded in December to include five additional nations and travelers using Palestinian Authority-issued documents.
Concurrently, asylum petitions, citizenship processing, and green card applications from the originally restricted 19 countries face operational pauses, creating multilayered barriers to legal immigration. The administration continues to leverage State Department authority to deem ineligible applicants considered likely to become public charges, signaling a sustained commitment to immigration restrictionism.