In a bold escalation of its hardline immigration policies, the United States under President Donald Trump has announced the suspension of immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries worldwide. This move, set to take effect on January 21, 2026, targets nations across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Eastern Europe, aiming to curb what the administration describes as the exploitation of American welfare systems by incoming migrants.
The decision, revealed by the State Department on January 14, 2026, invokes longstanding authority to deny visas to individuals deemed likely to become a “public charge”—that is, dependent on government benefits. Tommy Pigott, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department, explained the rationale: “The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people.” He further noted that the pause would allow for a reassessment of procedures to “prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”
This suspension specifically affects immigrant visas, which are intended for those seeking permanent residency or work in the US. It does not extend to non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourists, business travelers, or attendees of major events like the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Olympics. Exceptions may also apply to dual nationals holding passports from unaffected countries or those whose entry aligns with “America First” national interests. However, for pending applications where visas have been approved but not yet issued, consular officers are instructed to refuse the cases outright.
The list of impacted countries is extensive, encompassing a diverse array of nations. According to US officials, it includes: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
This policy builds on a November 2025 directive from the State Department, which urged diplomats to scrutinize visa applicants’ financial self-sufficiency more rigorously. It aligns with Trump’s broader agenda, which has prioritized aggressive enforcement since his return to office in January 2025. The administration has already revoked over 100,000 visas—a one-year record—and deported more than 605,000 individuals, with an additional 2.5 million reportedly leaving voluntarily. Other measures include heightened social media vetting, expanded screenings, and new fees on programs like H-1B visas for skilled workers.
Critics have lambasted the suspension as an unprecedented assault on legal immigration. David Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute, condemned it as evidence of “the most anti-legal immigration agenda in American history.” He estimated that the freeze could bar nearly half of all legal immigrants, turning away approximately 315,000 people in the coming year alone. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, highlighted that, when combined with existing travel bans, the policy effectively restricts immigrant visas from 90 countries, with 70 percent of the targeted nations in Africa.
The administration’s claims that immigrants disproportionately drain public resources have been challenged by studies from organizations like the Cato Institute and the American Immigration Council, which indicate that immigrants actually utilize fewer benefits than native-born Americans. Nonetheless, Trump has framed the policy as a necessary defense against what he perceives as unchecked migration from “Third World Countries,” a stance echoed in his response to incidents like a November 2025 shooting near the White House involving an Afghan national.
As the freeze takes hold indefinitely—with no specified end date—it underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to reshaping US immigration. While proponents argue it protects American taxpayers, opponents warn of its potential to isolate the nation economically and culturally, severing family ties and hindering global talent inflows. For affected applicants, the path to the American Dream has grown markedly more arduous.