Trump administration pauses immigrant visas for 75 countries amid broader crackdown: summary

What we know

• The U.S. State Department has announced a temporary suspension of immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries.
• The pause takes effect on January 21 and is part of the Trump administration’s broader push to tighten immigration rules. Fox News first reported the policy change.
• Countries named as affected include Somalia, Iran, Russia, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Yemen, Colombia, Cuba, Thailand, and Brazil.
• The decision applies only to immigrant visas and does not affect visitor visas.
• The State Department said the pause will remain in place while it reassesses procedures aimed at preventing people from entering the U.S. who may rely on welfare or public benefits.
• Since returning to the office in January, Trump has intensified immigration enforcement and taken steps that affect legal immigration, including higher costs for some visa applicants.
• The State Department said over 100,000 visas have been revoked since Trump took office.
• The administration has also expanded visa screening, including social media vetting.
• The move follows a November shooting near the White House by an Afghan national who killed a National Guard member.

What they said

“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 Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the State Department. He added: “Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.” David Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute, criticised the decision, saying: “This administration has proven itself to have the most anti-legal immigration agenda in American history,” and added, “This action will ban nearly half of all legal immigrants to the United States, turning away about 315,000 legal immigrants over the next year alone.” Trump previously said he would “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries.”