Trump Administration Pauses Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries
Washington D.C. - The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it would suspend immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, further restricting legal immigration routes into the United States. According to the State Department, the pause is intended to address concerns about immigrants accessing welfare and public benefits at unacceptable rates.
The order, which takes effect on January 21, is part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump to limit both legal and illegal immigration into the U.S., according to the BBC. Al Jazeera reported that the move is part of a hardline, anti-immigration crackdown carried out by the Trump administration since January 2025.
The State Department stated the administration aims to bring "an end to the abuse" of the system "by those who would extract wealth from the American people" by using welfare and public benefits, according to the BBC.
The Trump administration had already halted immigrant visa processing for people from Brazil, Iran, Russia, and Somalia, the BBC reported. The full list of the 75 countries affected by the new order has not yet been released.
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