In a perplexing diplomatic development, the Trump administration’s recent suspension of immigrant visas for nationals from 75 countries has placed Kuwait—a wealthy Gulf nation and major non-NATO US ally—alongside nations deemed to have unacceptable welfare dependency rates. This classification has baffled regional experts given Kuwait’s strategic military importance and longstanding cooperation with American interests.
Kuwait stands as a definitive outlier on the restricted list. With a per capita GDP approaching $33,000 and one of the world’s strongest currencies, the Kuwaiti Dinar, the nation possesses considerable wealth. Its social welfare system remains so comprehensive that citizens frequently retire comfortably in their late forties.
The strategic relationship between Washington and Kuwait has deepened significantly since the 1990-1991 Gulf War, when US-led forces liberated the country from Iraqi occupation. Kuwait subsequently served as critical infrastructure for the 2003 invasion of Iraq and became indispensable to counter-IS operations starting in 2014. Currently, approximately 13,500 US troops remain stationed at multiple American-run bases within Kuwait’s borders—making it the fourth-largest host of US forces globally, trailing only Germany, Japan, and South Korea.
On the very day the visa restrictions were announced, the Pentagon notified Congress of an $800 million weapons sale to Kuwait, including Patriot missile system upgrades, spare parts, and training programs. This transaction further underscores the ongoing defense cooperation between the nations.
Regional specialists have proposed multiple theories behind Kuwait’s inclusion. Some suggest it may represent a tactical pressure strategy to extract concessions on issues of regional importance to the United States. Kuwait maintains notably independent foreign policies, including refusal to normalize relations with Israel and maintaining friendly ties with Iran—positions that distinguish it from neighboring Gulf states.
Additional considerations involve Kuwait’s relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood, which the Trump administration designated as a terrorist organization in several countries last year. While Kuwait hasn’t aggressively prosecuted the organization, regional powers like the UAE and Saudi Arabia have intensely lobbied for its suppression.
Human rights concerns may also factor into the equation. Since September 2024, Kuwait has revoked citizenship from at least 50,000 people—a figure some activists believe could reach 200,000. These revocations, which the government ceased regularly reporting in September 2025, potentially represent significant human rights violations that past administrations might have addressed more forcefully.
Experts note that unlike Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which have made lavish financial commitments to the Trump administration, Kuwait maintains a quieter relationship with Washington. This diplomatic approach may have left it more vulnerable to such policy decisions despite its strategic importance.