Trump administration suspends processing of immigrant visa applications from 75 countries under expanded 'public charge' rules
The Trump administration will pause processing of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries beginning Jan. 21, a State Department directive that covers permanent‑residence visas — including green cards, fiancé visas and certain work visas — but not temporary nonimmigrant tourist or business visas. The State Department told consular officers to implement the freeze and to step up screening and documentation, framing the move as aimed at blocking migrants who would use U.S. public benefits and placing the burden on applicants to prove they will not rely on welfare; the list of affected countries includes Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Guatemala, Pakistan and Senegal.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- The administration will impose an indefinite "pause" on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 named countries beginning Jan. 21, implemented via State Department instructions to consular officers.
- The suspension applies to immigrant visas (permanent residence) — explicitly including green cards, fiancé (K-1) visas and certain types of work visas — and does not apply to temporary nonimmigrant tourist and business visas.
- Despite exempting nonimmigrant tourist/business visas from the pause, a State Department cable directs consular officers to screen most nonimmigrant visa applicants for potential reliance on U.S. public benefits and to require additional financial documentation when officers suspect an applicant may seek welfare.
- The policy formally places the burden on applicants to demonstrate they will not use U.S. public benefits at any time after admission, consistent with the administration's November public‑charge guidance.
- The State Department framed the move as pausing visas from countries "whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates" and said the freeze will last until the U.S. can ensure new immigrants "will not extract wealth from the American people."
- A State Department‑confirmed list of the 75 affected countries was released and includes major sending countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Guatemala, Pakistan and Senegal.
- The action comes amid broader administration measures restricting legal immigration, including travel bans and refugee admission freezes; refugee admissions are described as essentially frozen except for a few groups (reportedly including some Afrikaners from South Africa).
đź“Š Relevant Data
68.1% of immigrant households from Afghanistan in the US participate in welfare programs.
Trump shares list of 120 countries whose immigrants receive welfare in US: Why was India excluded? — Times of India
Only 11% of Central American immigrants in the US hold a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to 36% of U.S.-born adults.
Key findings about U.S. immigrants — Pew Research Center
High welfare use among immigrants is primarily due to their generally lower education levels and resulting low incomes.
Welfare Use by Immigrants and the U.S.-Born — Center for Immigration Studies
Immigration has reduced the wages of low-skilled workers and college graduates in the US.
What Immigration Means For U.S. Employment and Wages — Brookings Institution
đź“° Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- NPR/AP piece confirms the suspension is being implemented via State Department instructions to consular officers, not just DHS policy, and will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 named countries beginning Jan. 21.
- The article specifies that the halt applies only to immigrant visas (permanent residence), not to non‑immigrant tourist and business visas, which officials expect to surge ahead of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
- A separate State Department cable, quoted in the story, orders consular officers to screen most non‑immigrant visa applicants for potential reliance on U.S. public benefits and to require additional financial documentation when they suspect an applicant may seek welfare.
- The report underscores that the burden of proof is being formally placed on applicants to show they will not use U.S. public benefits at any time after admission, in line with the November public‑charge guidance.
- PBS specifies that the suspension covers green cards, fiancé visas and certain kinds of work visas, not just immigrant visas in general.
- The report explicitly notes that the new policy does not apply to nonimmigrant visas such as temporary tourist and business visas.
- The State Department statement is summarized as framing the pause as meant to prevent entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.
- Clarifies that the suspension will be an indefinite 'pause' on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries starting Jan. 21.
- Specifies that the suspension applies only to immigrant visas for permanent residence, not to temporary nonimmigrant visas for short-term travel.
- Provides a detailed, State-Department–confirmed list of the 75 affected countries, including major senders like Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Guatemala, Pakistan and Senegal.
- Quotes a State Department statement framing the move as pausing visas from countries 'whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates' and asserting the freeze will last until the U.S. can ensure new immigrants 'will not extract wealth from the American people.'
- Reiterates that the Trump administration has already used travel bans and refugee freezes to restrict other legal immigration channels and notes that refugee admissions are essentially frozen except for a few groups, mainly Afrikaners in South Africa.