Gambiaj.com – (WASHINGTON, DC) – The United States will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries beginning January 21, citing concerns that applicants from those nations are more likely to rely on public assistance once admitted, the State Department announced on Wednesday.
The decision, taken under the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, follows guidance issued in November that tightened screening requirements for prospective immigrants who could be deemed “public charges” under U.S. law.
The suspension affects countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Somalia, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Haiti and The Gambia.
In a statement, the State Department said consular officers worldwide have been instructed to halt immigrant visa processing for nationals of the affected countries while the department reassesses its procedures.
“The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” the department said. “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.”
The suspension does not apply to non-immigrant visas, such as temporary tourist or business visas, which account for the vast majority of U.S. visa applications. U.S. officials expect demand for these temporary visas to increase significantly in the coming years as the country prepares to host or co-host major global events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.
President Donald Trump’s administration has already imposed sweeping restrictions on both immigrant and non-immigrant visas for citizens of dozens of countries, many of them in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as part of a broader effort to tighten U.S. immigration policy.
Federal law has long required applicants for permanent residency to demonstrate that they are unlikely to become dependent on public assistance.
During President Trump’s first term, however, the administration expanded the range of government benefits that could disqualify an applicant. The November guidance underpinning the latest decision appears to extend that approach further.
Under existing procedures, immigrants seeking entry into the United States must undergo medical examinations by physicians approved by U.S. embassies. These screenings include checks for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, reviews of vaccination records, and disclosures related to drug or alcohol use, mental health conditions, or a history of violence.
The new directive adds more detailed scrutiny. Consular officials are now required to consider factors such as an applicant’s age, health, family status, financial resources, education, work skills and any prior use of public assistance.
The guidance also instructs officers to assess English-language proficiency, including by conducting interviews in English.
Immigration experts have warned that the expanded criteria could significantly narrow eligibility for immigrant visas, particularly at a time when the administration is already pursuing some of the most restrictive immigration policies in recent U.S. history.
The full list of affected countries spans multiple regions and includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, The Gambia, Uganda and Yemen, among others.
