U.S. halts most visas from 75 nations, revives hard‑line 'public charge' denials
The Trump administration has quietly ordered an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries — including Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand and Yemen — while it rewrites how consular officers apply the 'public charge' test, according to a leaked State Department memo. During the pause, consular officers are instructed to aggressively deny visas under existing law to anyone deemed likely to rely on public benefits, using a much broader checklist that now factors in age, health, English skills, financial resources, potential long‑term medical needs, and any prior use of cash aid or institutional care. Older or medically fragile applicants, or those who ever used certain U.S. benefits, could be rejected even if they have sponsors and job offers, effectively reviving and hardening a Trump‑era policy the Biden administration had rolled back in 2022. The change hits especially hard in the Twin Cities, where large Somali, Iranian, Russian, Nigerian and other communities routinely sponsor relatives and business visitors, and comes as Trump officials rhetorically tie Somali migration scrutiny to Minnesota‑based fraud scandals like Feeding Our Future despite those cases already being prosecuted in court. Immigration attorneys and advocates are already warning that the vague 'likelihood' standard invites arbitrary denials and will strand many well‑resourced applicants, and legal challenges are expected once the policy is formally published.
📌 Key Facts
- A State Department memo, first reported by Fox News and confirmed in Twin Cities coverage, orders consular posts to pause most immigrant visa processing from 75 countries starting Jan. 21 while new 'public charge' guidance is written.
- During the pause, consular officers must apply a broadened public‑charge test that weighs age, health, English proficiency, financial situation, potential long‑term medical costs, and any prior use of cash assistance or institutional care when deciding whether an applicant is 'likely' to depend on public benefits.
- Countries listed include Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand and Yemen, which collectively supply a large share of family‑based and business‑visitor visa applicants tied to Minneapolis–Saint Paul immigrant communities.
- The memo effectively resurrects and expands a Trump‑era public‑charge policy that the Biden administration rescinded in 2022, and is being rolled out as Trump officials publicly link Somali immigration to Minnesota fraud cases like Feeding Our Future despite those prosecutions already moving forward.
- Local immigration lawyers and advocates quoted in coverage say the policy could strand thousands of would‑be immigrants with strong sponsors and jobs, and expect it to be challenged in federal court as an unlawful de facto ban on migration from targeted nations.
📊 Relevant Data
81% of Somali-headed households in the United States are on welfare.
Rep. Brandon Gill questions Somali fraud statistics in Minnesota at hearing — Fox News
54% of Somali-headed households in Minnesota receive food stamps, and 73% have at least one member on Medicaid.
Somali Immigrants in Minnesota — Center for Immigration Studies
Somali Minnesotans generate at least $500 million in income annually and pay about $67 million in state and local taxes.
Somali Minnesotans drive economic growth, pay $67M taxes annually — KSTP
The median Somali household income in Minnesota from 2019 to 2023 was $43,600, compared to the national median of $78,538.
Refugee flood isn't smart policy, it's the gift that keeps on taking — Fox News
Fraud in Minnesota's social services, particularly in pockets of the Somali diaspora, has led to losses exceeding $9 billion in Medicaid services.
U.S. Attorney: Fraud likely exceeds $9 billion in Minnesota-run Medicaid services — Minnesota Reformer
Somali refugees began resettling in Minnesota in the early 1990s following the collapse of the Somali government and resulting violence.
Immigrants in Minnesota — Minnesota Issues Resources Guides
Minnesota's Somali community numbers around 80,000 people, with fraud cases involving scores of individuals but damaging the reputation of the entire community.
How Fraud Swamped Minnesota's Social Services System — The New York Times
The average welfare participation rate across all immigrant groups in the US is 21.0%, with higher rates for immigrants from countries like Sudan (56.3%) and Guinea (65.8%).
Immigrant Welfare Participation by the Numbers — PoliMetrics
59% of households headed by illegal immigrants in the US use at least one major welfare program.
Welfare Use by Immigrants and the U.S.-Born — Center for Immigration Studies
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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