The Trump administration has announced an indefinite freeze on immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, citing concerns over potential reliance on U.S. public benefits. The suspension, effective January 21, does not affect tourist, student, or business visas, and comes amid a broader immigration crackdown.
The directive, first reported by Fox News and confirmed by multiple outlets, instructs U.S. embassies and consulates to halt immigrant visa decisions while officials reassess the government’s screening and vetting procedures. The move has already sparked diplomatic questions and raised concerns among immigrant communities, particularly in the affected nations.
Announced just months ahead of the United States co-hosting the 2026 World Cup, the pause applies to immigrant categories such as family reunification and employment-based migration. It does not impact visitors attending the tournament. According to Reuters, President Donald Trump has intensified immigration enforcement since returning to office, including expanded travel bans and visa revocations.
Public Charge Rule Central to the Freeze
The primary legal basis for the suspension stems from the “public charge” provision of U.S. immigration law, which allows authorities to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on government assistance. According to the U.S. State Department, consular officers were directed in November to implement stricter screening under this rule, considering factors such as age, health, income level, English proficiency, and past use of public benefits.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” said Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott on Wednesday. The new directive includes a reassessment of procedures used to prevent foreign nationals “who would take welfare and public benefits” from entering the country.
According to Fox News, the list of countries includes: 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.
The move does not affect non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourists, students, or business travelers. Soccer fans traveling for the 2026 World Cup will not be subject to the suspension, and athletes and team officials are also exempt under earlier guidance from the Trump administration.
Broader Crackdown Targets Legal Immigration
The freeze is the latest in a series of steps that signal a shift in policy beyond undocumented immigration. Since retaking office, the Trump administration has placed new fees on visa applications, paused asylum decisions, and expanded a travel ban that now includes 39 countries. Over 100,000 visas have been revoked since Trump’s return to the White House.
The decision to suspend visa processing comes as part of what the State Department called an effort to prevent “exploit of the American people’s generosity.” Critics, however, argue that the policy will disproportionately affect immigrants from poorer or conflict-ridden countries. According to the Migration Policy Institute, policies such as this may have a chilling effect, discouraging immigrants from accessing public support even when legally eligible.
While the administration has not provided an end date for the suspension, officials say the freeze will remain in place until a comprehensive reassessment of immigration screening procedures is completed.
