U.S. Suspends Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries Over Public Assistance Concerns

The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday a suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens from 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia, effective January 21. This decision stems from concerns that nationals from these countries are more likely to utilize public assistance in the United States.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the suspension aligns with a broader order issued in November, which tightened rules around potential immigrants who might become "public charges" in the U.S. The suspension does not affect non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourism or business.

The affected countries span multiple regions, including:

The Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay.

Europe: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia.

Asia: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

Africa: Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda.

The State Department emphasized that the suspension will remain in effect "until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people." The agency is conducting a comprehensive review of policies, regulations, and guidance to prevent immigrants from these high-risk countries from utilizing welfare in the United States or becoming a public charge.