US suspends immigrant visa processing for 75 countries

Reason behind the suspension

The State Department said it will use its authority to pause immigrant visas based on nationality, citing concerns about applicants likely to require government welfare.

Official statement from the State Department

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said, “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.” He added that visa processing will be paused while procedures are reassessed to prevent entry of foreign nationals who might rely on public benefits.

Countries affected

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted on X that affected countries include Somalia, Russia, and Iran, along with nations that have friendly relations with the US, such as Brazil, Egypt, and Thailand. The State Department has not released a full list of the 75 countries.

Trump’s immigration stance

Trump has openly expressed a desire to reduce immigration from non-European countries. He has previously criticised Somalis and expressed preference for immigrants from Scandinavia.

Recent visa and deportation actions

The State Department reported revoking over 100,000 visas since Trump’s return, a one-year record. The Department of Homeland Security stated that the administration has deported more than 605,000 people, with an additional 2.5 million leaving voluntarily.

Exemptions and ongoing vetting

The suspension does not affect tourist, business, or other non-immigrant visas, including those for fans attending this year’s World Cup. However, the Trump administration continues to vet applicants’ social media histories.