The Department of State is suspending visa processing for citizens from 75 countries, starting January 21st, due to concerns about public assistance dependence. The pause aims to reassess immigration procedures to prevent entry of foreign nationals who might rely on welfare. The suspension doesn't apply to non-immigrant visas, like those for tourism or business, with increased demand expected due to upcoming events like the World Cup and Olympics.
A freeze on visa processings for citizens from 75 countries begins Wednesday, Jan. 21. The Department of State said earlier this month that the suspension was happening to nationals from countries deemed likely to require public assistance while living in the United States.
The countries affected by the suspension 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, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen."The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people," the department said in a statement. "Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits."The suspension will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, or temporary tourist or business visas, who make up the vast majority of visa seekers. Demand for non-immigrant visas is expected to rise dramatically in the coming months and years due to the upcoming 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics both of which the U.S. will host or co-host.Somalia has drawn heightened scrutiny from federal officials following a sweeping fraud scandal centered in Minnesota, where prosecutors uncovered massive abuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programs. Many of those involved are Somali nationals or Somali-Americans. READ MORE: Fraud in Minnesota: Detailing the nearly $1 billion in schemes
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Visa freeze begins for these 75 countriesThe visa freeze for 75 countries begins today, Jan. 21. Here are the countries included, and what to know about the suspension.
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