The U.S. State Department dropped a bombshell Wednesday, announcing an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries starting January 21. The move targets nations whose migrants allegedly use U.S. welfare programs at "unacceptable rates," according to an official statement.
🌍 Who’s Affected?
The list includes Somalia, Haiti, Iran, Eritrea, Russia, Afghanistan, and Brazil, among others. Officials claim immigrants from these countries often become "public charges" after arrival – a controversial claim already sparking heated debates online.
⏳ Timeline & Context
This freeze follows Tuesday’s White House decision to end temporary protected status for Somali immigrants. Since Donald Trump’s 2025 announcement to curb immigration from what he called "Third World countries," over 100,000 visas have been revoked. The latest policy comes exactly six years after Trump’s original "travel ban" controversy in 2020.
💼 What’s Next?
With no end date specified, millions face uncertainty. Students and professionals from affected regions are scrambling for alternatives, while critics call it the strictest immigration policy since the 2020s. Stay tuned as we track this developing story.
