The State Division is freezing immigrant visa processing for 75 international locations in an effort to clamp down on candidates it deems prone to develop into a public cost.
The directive instructs embassies and consulates to halt selections starting Jan. 21 whereas the division reassesses its vetting procedures below current immigration legislation, in response to an inner memo first reported by Fox Information Digital.
The trouble comes months earlier than the US is ready to co-host the 2026 World Cup with practically 2 million tickets bought to followers around the globe. The Trump administration beforehand stated “any athlete or member of an athletic crew, together with coaches, individuals performing a mandatory assist position, and quick family, touring to the World Cup” could be exempt from journey bans.
The suspension of immigrant visas won’t apply to candidates searching for non-immigrant visas, or momentary vacationer or enterprise visas, who make up the overwhelming majority of visa seekers, the State Division stated. As such, the suspensions introduced wouldn’t apply for these searching for to journey to the World Cup within the U.S. this summer season.
A State Division spokesperson confirmed the company is pausing immigrant visa processing for the 75 international locations.
“The Trump administration is bringing an finish to the abuse of America’s immigration system by these who would extract wealth from the American individuals,” State Division principal deputy spokesman Tommy Pigott stated in assertion Wednesday. “The State Division will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would develop into a public cost on the US and exploit the generosity of the American individuals.”
Donald Trump throughout the signing of govt orders within the Oval Workplace on the White Home, September 19, 2025. Trump signed a two govt orders establishing the “Trump Gold Card” and introducing a $100,000 price for H-1B visas. The “Trump Gold Card” is a visa program that permits overseas nationals everlasting residency and a pathway to U.S. citizenship.
Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Submit by way of Getty Photographs
Nations affected by the pause embody Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand and Yemen, in response to the inner memo. The total listing of nations was not instantly out there, however ABC Information has reached out to the State Division for extra data.
“Immigrant visa processing from these 75 international locations will likely be paused whereas the State Division reassess immigration processing procedures to stop the entry of overseas nationals who would take welfare and public advantages,” Pigott added Wednesday within the assertion.
Notably, Somalia has drawn scrutiny from the Trump administration in latest days following reports of fraud in Minnesota’s social providers system. A self-proclaimed impartial journalist posted a video final month alleging youngster care fraud in Minneapolis’ Somali communities. A number of state and native officers have disputed the accuracy of the video, and authorities stated on the time not one of the facilities featured within the video have been accused of fraud.
Federal authorities are investigating the allegations within the state’s social providers system, whereas Minnesota officers have disputed the claims of fraud.
President Donald Trump lately criticized Somali immigrants, describing them as “rubbish” and saying he would not need them in the US throughout a Cupboard assembly final month.
The Trump administration introduced Tuesday it might finish Non permanent Protected Standing (TPS) for Somalis in March, successfully forcing as many as 2,400 individuals out of the U.S., regardless of the president’s remarks final month that Somalia was “barely a rustic.”
In November, the State Division circulated a cable to consular places of work worldwide directing workers to use stricter screening measures below the “public cost” provision.
Beneath the steerage, officers are required to disclaim visas to candidates thought of prone to rely upon public help.
