The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that the Trump administration is moving to suspend immigrant visa processing for applicants from dozens of countries as part of a broader effort to tighten immigration controls. Officials said the policy aims to prevent what they describe as misuse of public assistance programs by prospective immigrants and to protect U.S. taxpayers.
President Donald Trump has prioritized stricter immigration enforcement since returning to office, targeting both unauthorized migration and certain forms of legal entry. The administration has already halted immigrant visa processing for nationals of several countries, including Brazil, Iran, Russia, and Somalia. The expanded pause is set to take effect on January 21, though the government has not yet publicly released the full list of the 75 affected countries.
State Department officials said the temporary suspension will allow a reassessment of visa screening procedures. Under long-standing immigration law, applicants can be denied entry if they are deemed likely to become a “public charge.” The department said it plans to use that authority more aggressively while reviewing how visa decisions are made.
According to officials briefed on the directive, U.S. consular officers have been instructed to stop processing immigrant visa applications from the affected countries. The pause does not apply to non-immigrant visas, meaning temporary travel for tourism, business, or short-term visits will continue. Asylum claims and other humanitarian pathways are being reviewed separately.
The visa freeze follows a series of recent restrictions imposed by the administration on countries it considers national security concerns. Over the past several months, additional bans and limitations have been introduced following violent incidents involving immigrants and heightened scrutiny of foreign nationals. Critics say the measures risk creating uncertainty for families and employers, while supporters argue they are necessary to strengthen border security and safeguard public resources.