Washington DC – The United States will pause all immigrant visa processing for 75 countries starting January 21, citing concerns that some applicants may rely on public benefits. The freeze will remain until the State Department reassesses its screening and vetting procedures.
The affected countries include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Yemen, and others. Somalia has drawn particular attention after a fraud scandal in Minnesota involving Somali nationals and Somali-Americans misusing taxpayer-funded programs.
A State Department memo instructs consular officers worldwide to refuse visas under the existing public charge law, which allows authorities to deny entry to applicants deemed likely to depend on government support. Officers will consider factors such as age, health, English proficiency, finances, and potential need for long-term medical care. Past use of cash assistance or institutional support could also result in denial.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge and exploit the generosity of the American people,” spokesperson Tommy Piggott said. Exceptions will be limited and only granted after careful review of public charge criteria.
The public charge rule has existed for decades but enforcement has varied across administrations. The Trump administration expanded its scope in 2019 to include a wider range of public benefits, though parts of this expansion were later blocked by courts and rescinded under the Biden administration. The current pause is seen as a measure to tighten screening before resuming visa issuance.
The full list of affected countries ranges from Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, 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.
