(VOVWORLD) -US media reported Wednesday that the Trump administration will suspend indefinitely the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries as of January 21st.
 Passengers at Miami International Airport in Florida, US, in August 2025 (Photo: Reuters) |
“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,” a memorandum issued by the US State Department said.
Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand are among the affected countries. Representatives for the State Department has yet to comment on the report.
The potential pause on visa processing came amid a large-scale immigration crackdown, which US President Donald Trump has pursued since taking office in January 2025, citing national security concerns. Last November, President Trump said his administration will "permanently pause" migration from all "Third World Countries", following the death of a National Guard member in an attack by an Afghan national near the White House.