Trump administration halts immigrant visas from 75 countries over ‘public charge’ concerns

In a sweeping move to restrict legal immigration, the Trump administration has indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries. The directive, which takes effect on 21 January, marks one of the administration’s most expansive efforts to curtail immigration pathways under the guise of reducing dependence on public assistance.

According to a State Department cable obtained by The Guardian, the suspension applies to visa applicants deemed likely to become a “public charge”—a classification for individuals the government believes may rely on public welfare programmes such as food stamps, housing subsidies, or Medicaid.

The affected list spans multiple regions, including Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and eastern Europe. Among the countries named are Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Thailand, and Yemen. Several countries included have longstanding migration links with the United States or are considered strategic allies.

A State Department spokesperson confirmed the policy shift on Wednesday, noting that embassies and consulates worldwide have been directed to pause all immigrant visa decisions from the designated countries. “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,” said State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott.

The suspension does not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, such as those travelling for business or tourism. According to the department, these categories comprise the majority of visa applications, meaning that travel to events such as the 2026 World Cup—co-hosted by the United States—will not be affected.

In line with the “America First” framework, exceptions are permitted. Applicants who hold dual nationality with a country not on the list and possess a valid passport from that country may still apply. Others may also qualify if they can demonstrate that their travel would serve a U.S. national interest.

However, the policy is uncompromising for pending applications. If a visa has been approved but not yet printed, consular officers are instructed to refuse the case, as stated in the internal directive.

The justification for the policy is rooted in the administration’s application of the “public charge” rule, a long-standing but previously narrowly applied provision of U.S. immigration law. Under Trump-era reinterpretation, the criteria for determining who constitutes a potential public charge have been significantly broadened.

A November cable circulated to consular officers directed staff to increase scrutiny under this provision. Applicants deemed likely to use public assistance at any point in the future may now be denied entry.

Pigott defended the administration’s position, stating: “The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people.” He added that the State Department would use its long-standing authority to block the entry of individuals likely to burden the U.S. welfare system.

The policy announcement also comes amid renewed attention on Somali immigrants in the United States. President Donald Trump has made repeated critical remarks about Somali communities, and the administration recently decided to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 2,400 Somalis in March.

The timing of this policy shift is politically significant, occurring as preparations intensify for the 2026 World Cup. With nearly two million tickets sold to international fans, the administration’s decision to exempt athletes, coaches, support staff, and immediate relatives from the travel restrictions signals an effort to prevent disruption to the high-profile event.

Some critics argue that the broad sweep of affected nations risks straining diplomatic relations and affecting legitimate family reunification cases and employment-based immigrant pathways.

Nonetheless, the Trump administration has made limiting both legal and illegal immigration a cornerstone of its policy platform, having previously instituted travel bans, restricted asylum processing, and proposed merit-based visa systems.

While the measure is currently indefinite, no specific timeline has been given for reassessment. The State Department has not indicated whether countries may be removed from or added to the list based on future determinations of compliance or cooperation.

The list of 75 countries includes:

1. Afghanistan

2. Albania

3. Algeria

4. Antigua and Barbuda

5. Armenia

6. Azerbaijan

7. Bahamas

8. Bangladesh

9. Barbados

10. Belarus

11. Belize

12. Bhutan

13. Bosnia and Herzegovina

14. Brazil

15. Myanmar

16. Cambodia

17. Cameroon

18. Cape Verde

19. Colombia

20. Côte d’Ivoire

21. Cuba

22. Democratic Republic of the Congo

23. Dominica

24. Egypt

25. Eritrea

26. Ethiopia

27. Fiji

28. The Gambia

29. Georgia

30. Ghana

31. Grenada

32. Guatemala

33. Guinea

34. Haiti

35. Iran

36. Iraq

37. Jamaica

38. Jordan

39. Kazakhstan

40. Kosovo

41. Kuwait

42. Kyrgyzstan

43. Laos

44. Lebanon

45. Liberia

46. Libya

47. North Macedonia

48. Moldova

49. Mongolia

50. Montenegro

51. Morocco

52. Nepal

53. Nicaragua

54. Nigeria

55. Pakistan

56. Republic of the Congo

57. Russia

58. Rwanda

59. St Kitts and Nevis

60. St Lucia

61. St Vincent and the Grenadines

62. Senegal

63. Sierra Leone

64. Somalia

65. South Sudan

66. Sudan

67. Syria

68. Tanzania

69. Thailand

70. Togo

71. Tunisia

72. Uganda

73. Uruguay

74. Uzbekistan

75. Yemen