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US suspends immigrant visa processing from 75 countries
3 hrs ago |
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The Trump administration has indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, in one of the most far-reaching moves yet to restrict legal migration pathways to the United States.
The suspension, which takes effect on 21 January, targets visa applicants whom US authorities deem likely to become a "public charge" — a term used to describe individuals who may rely on government assistance to meet basic living needs.
According to a US State Department cable obtained by The Guardian, the decision affects countries across every major region of the world, including Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and eastern Europe. The breadth of the list underscores the scale of the policy, which extends beyond conflict-affected states to include long-standing US allies and countries with deep historical migration ties to America.
Under the directive, consular officers are instructed to refuse immigrant visa applications from nationals of the listed countries if the visa has not yet been printed, even where approval has already been granted. The cable makes clear that the freeze applies broadly and is open-ended, with no indication of when or if processing may resume.
Limited exemptions are provided. These include applicants who hold dual nationality and are travelling on a valid passport from a country not affected by the suspension, as well as individuals who can convincingly demonstrate that their travel serves an "America First" national interest. Such determinations, however, are expected to be applied narrowly.
The move is the latest in a series of immigration restrictions under the Trump administration that place greater emphasis on self-sufficiency and economic contribution as prerequisites for entry into the United States. Critics argue that the policy effectively bars many low-income families from legal migration and disproportionately affects developing countries, while supporters say it protects public resources and prioritises national interests.
The suspension is expected to have significant humanitarian, economic and diplomatic implications, particularly for families awaiting reunification and for countries whose citizens rely heavily on legal migration channels to the US.
The suspension, which takes effect on 21 January, targets visa applicants whom US authorities deem likely to become a "public charge" — a term used to describe individuals who may rely on government assistance to meet basic living needs.
According to a US State Department cable obtained by The Guardian, the decision affects countries across every major region of the world, including Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and eastern Europe. The breadth of the list underscores the scale of the policy, which extends beyond conflict-affected states to include long-standing US allies and countries with deep historical migration ties to America.
Under the directive, consular officers are instructed to refuse immigrant visa applications from nationals of the listed countries if the visa has not yet been printed, even where approval has already been granted. The cable makes clear that the freeze applies broadly and is open-ended, with no indication of when or if processing may resume.
Limited exemptions are provided. These include applicants who hold dual nationality and are travelling on a valid passport from a country not affected by the suspension, as well as individuals who can convincingly demonstrate that their travel serves an "America First" national interest. Such determinations, however, are expected to be applied narrowly.
The move is the latest in a series of immigration restrictions under the Trump administration that place greater emphasis on self-sufficiency and economic contribution as prerequisites for entry into the United States. Critics argue that the policy effectively bars many low-income families from legal migration and disproportionately affects developing countries, while supporters say it protects public resources and prioritises national interests.
The suspension is expected to have significant humanitarian, economic and diplomatic implications, particularly for families awaiting reunification and for countries whose citizens rely heavily on legal migration channels to the US.
Source - newsday
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