Washington, D.C. – January 14, 2026 – The United States Department of State has announced an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Thailand, and Yemen, as part of a broader effort to strengthen enforcement of the "public charge" ground of inadmissibility. The suspension, set to take effect on January 21, 2026, directs consular officers worldwide to halt decisions on immigrant visa applications from these countries while the department reassesses screening and vetting procedures to prevent the entry of individuals likely to become reliant on public benefits.
A State Department spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, confirmed the policy, stating: "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." The move aligns with the Trump administration's intensified immigration crackdown since President Donald Trump's return to office in January 2025, emphasizing self-sufficiency and protection of U.S. taxpayer resources.
The full list of affected countries, as detailed in internal memos and reported across multiple outlets, includes: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
This suspension applies specifically to immigrant visas—such as those for family reunification, employment-based green cards, or diversity lottery winners—while non-immigrant visas (tourist, business, student, etc.) remain unaffected, though applicants may face heightened scrutiny. The policy does not impact current visa holders or those already in the U.S. adjusting status through USCIS, though related public charge rules could influence future adjudications.
The decision follows a November 2025 State Department cable sent to all consular posts, instructing officers to strictly enforce the longstanding "public charge" provision under Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This rule allows denial of admission to noncitizens deemed likely to become primarily dependent on government assistance for subsistence. Factors considered include age, health, family status, financial resources, education, skills, and English proficiency. The guidance revives and expands enforcement from the first Trump administration's 2019 rule, which was largely rescinded under the Biden administration in 2022 but has now been reasserted with broader discretion for consular officers.
The pause stems from heightened concerns over potential abuse of U.S. public welfare systems, amplified by a major fraud scandal in Minnesota involving taxpayer-funded benefit programs. Federal investigations uncovered widespread misuse of funds in child nutrition and childcare programs, with many implicated individuals linked to the state's large Somali-American community. Prosecutors charged dozens in schemes involving false claims for meals and services during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in over $250 million in alleged fraud across related cases. The scandal, which gained national attention in late 2025, prompted critics to highlight risks associated with certain immigrant populations relying on public assistance, influencing the administration's policy response.
President Trump has repeatedly framed the measure as essential to protect American resources, stating in prior remarks that immigration policies must prioritize those who will not burden taxpayers. The administration points to the public charge rule's statutory basis in welfare reform laws from the 1990s, arguing that lax enforcement has allowed exploitation of benefits.
Immigration advocates and legal experts have criticized the policy as overly broad and discriminatory, potentially affecting legitimate applicants from developing nations who may face economic hardships but intend to contribute economically. Groups like the National Immigration Law Center warn that the expanded criteria—potentially including past use of benefits, health conditions, or even age—could lead to arbitrary denials and create a chilling effect on family reunification and skilled migration. Some analysts predict legal challenges, citing due process concerns and inconsistencies with prior interpretations.
The affected countries span diverse regions, from Africa and the Middle East to Latin America, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia and Eastern Europe, many of which already face visa backlogs or restrictions. For Nigeria, a major source of immigrant visas through family sponsorship and diversity lottery, the pause could delay thousands of pending cases, impacting diaspora communities in the U.S. Similarly, Russia and Iran—nations with strained diplomatic ties—face further barriers amid existing sanctions.
The State Department has indicated the suspension will remain in place indefinitely until reassessment concludes, with no timeline provided. Consular officers are directed to refuse applications under existing law during this period, with limited exceptions subject to case-by-case review. This policy builds on earlier actions, including a November 2025 directive for stricter screening and social media reviews for certain visa categories.
As the January 21 effective date approaches, prospective applicants from the listed countries face significant uncertainty. Immigration attorneys advise monitoring official guidance from the State Department and preparing robust evidence of financial self-sufficiency. The move underscores the Trump administration's commitment to a restrictive immigration framework, prioritizing national security, economic protection, and enforcement of longstanding statutory provisions.
