The United States State Department has announced a significant suspension of immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, citing concerns over immigrants becoming dependent on public assistance programs. The policy shift, announced on Wednesday, will take effect January 21 and affects nations including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated the pause will remain while the department reassesses immigration procedures to prevent the admission of foreign nationals likely to require welfare and public benefits. In U.S. immigration terminology, a “public charge” refers to individuals deemed likely to rely on government assistance for basic necessities.
The decision follows the Trump administration’s recent expansion of travel restrictions, which now encompass 39 countries facing complete or partial entry bans. This visa processing suspension represents the latest in a series of immigration policy changes under the current administration, which has revoked over 100,000 visas since President Trump took office nearly one year ago.
The full list of affected countries has not been publicly released, raising questions about the criteria used for selection. The move aligns with President Trump’s previously stated intention to “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries,” which he expressed on his Truth Social platform following a shooting incident in the U.S. capital involving an Afghan national that resulted in the death of a National Guard member.