U.S. Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for Applicants from 75 Countries Starting Jan 21

The Donald Trump administration will pause processing of U.S. immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries beginning January 21, the State Department confirmed on Wednesday, marking a major escalation in Washington’s ongoing immigration crackdown. The suspension affects a wide range of nations across Latin America, the Balkans, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, while visitor visas will not be impacted.

According to a State Department cable sent to U.S. missions and reviewed by Reuters, the move is part of a “full review” of policies and procedures aimed at ensuring the “highest level of screening and vetting” for visa applicants. The cable cited concerns that nationals from the listed countries could be at higher risk of becoming a “public charge” by seeking public benefits in the United States, directing consular officers to refuse visas already print-authorized but not issued, or printed but not yet released.

Critics say the decision makes legal immigration significantly harder, with David Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute, warning the pause could block nearly half of legal immigrants and potentially deny around 315,000 immigrants over the next year. The State Department also noted that over 100,000 visas have been revoked since Trump returned to office, while additional tightening measures—including stricter social media vetting and expanded screening—have already been introduced as part of the administration’s broader enforcement campaign.

Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright