The Trump administration has initiated a dramatic overhaul of U.S. immigration policy by suspending visa processing for citizens from 75 countries effective January 21, 2026, according to an exclusive report by Fox News. The network obtained an official memorandum from the State Department directing embassies worldwide to halt visa issuance under existing legal provisions while the department undergoes comprehensive procedural reassessment.
The affected nations span multiple continents, including Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand. The State Department has not provided a specific timeline for the duration of this suspension, leaving thousands of prospective travelers in uncertainty. Department representatives have not immediately responded to requests for clarification regarding the policy implementation.
This unprecedented move represents the latest escalation in President Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown, which has characterized his administration since assuming office in January 2025. The policy shift follows Trump’s November pledge to implement a ‘permanent pause’ on migration from all Third World countries, a commitment made in response to a shooting incident near the White House involving an Afghan national that resulted in the death of a National Guard member.
The suspension affects both new visa applications and pending processing, creating immediate complications for diplomatic relations, business travel, academic exchanges, and family reunifications. The administration’s decision reflects a fundamental restructuring of U.S. immigration screening procedures, though specific criteria for country selection and evaluation metrics remain undisclosed.