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U.S. suspends immigrant visa processing for 75 countries over public assistance concerns

  • On Jan. 21 the U.S. Department of State will suspend processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, pausing decisions indefinitely while reassessing procedures.
  • Against a backdrop of tightened screening, officials said the State Department will use the public charge provision of U.S. immigration law to bar immigrants likely to take welfare and public benefits.
  • Reports list affected countries including Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand; the suspension applies to immigrant visas and cites factors like age, health, and past cash assistance.
  • Affected applicants face disruptions to travel, work and study plans as the pause affects visas, and the State Department has not disclosed exemptions, creating uncertainty for U.S. embassies and consulates.
  • Amid the administration's broader crackdown, officials have deported more than 605,000 people and recorded 2.5 million departures, with over 100,000 visas revoked since President Donald Trump's return.
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Richmond Times-DispatchRichmond Times-Dispatch
+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
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US stiffens visa process for dozens of countries

WASHINGTON — The 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 deems likely to require public assistance while living in…

·Richmond, United States
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Right

In an effort to combat massive immigration across the Atlantic, the United States announced on Wednesday, 14 January, the freezing of all immigration visa procedures for 75 countries, intended for persons considering permanent residence, which will begin on 21 January, with no specific end date, a US official said under cover of anonymity.

Lean Left

The countries affected by the suspension announced on Wednesday are: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Ky…

·Los Angeles, United States
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foxwilmington.com broke the news in on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
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