The United States Department of State confirmed on Wednesday that the Trump administration is suspending immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries.
In a statement posted on X, the department said it would pause visa processing for countries whose migrants “take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.” Furthermore, it added that the freeze will remain in place. The freeze will continue until the United States can ensure new immigrants will not place an undue burden on public resources.
According to the State Department, the pause affects dozens of countries, including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea. The department said migrants from these countries often become public charges upon arrival in the United States.
“We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused,” the statement said.
US freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, Iranhttps://t.co/EAFsAcsATz
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 14, 2026Officials did not provide details on how long the suspension will last or how the policy will be reviewed. The move was first reported by Fox News, which cited a State Department memo. The report said the pause is set to begin on January 21.
The memo reportedly instructs US embassies to refuse immigrant visas under existing law. Meanwhile, the department will reassess its screening and approval procedures. No timeline for completing the review was outlined.
Countries listed in the report include Pakistan, Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X that the affected countries would include Somalia, Russia, and Iran. She linked to a Fox News article that also named several US partners, including Brazil, Egypt, and Thailand.
The reported policy forms part of the broader immigration crackdown launched by President Donald Trump since returning to office last January. Additionally, the administration has repeatedly argued that stricter controls are needed to protect public funds and national interests.
In November, Trump said he would “permanently pause” migration from what he called “Third World Countries.” He made this statement following a shooting near the White House involving an Afghan national who killed a National Guard member.
The State Department has not said when or if normal visa processing will resume for the affected countries
