The United States is implementing a significant pause on a major pathway to permanent residency for citizens of dozens of countries. The State Department announced it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for nationals from 75 countries where applicants are considered likely to require public assistance after moving to the U.S.
Policy Details and Implementation Date
This sweeping suspension is set to begin on January 21, 2026. The directive comes from Secretary of State Marco Rubio's department, acting on a broader order issued in November that tightened rules concerning potential immigrants who might become a "public charge." The State Department has instructed consular officers worldwide to halt these applications in accordance with the new guidelines.
Officials were clear that the pause does not apply to non-immigrant visa seekers. This means individuals applying for temporary tourist, business, or other short-term visas will not be affected by this specific suspension.
Rationale and Unnamed Countries
In an official statement, the department framed the move as a necessary measure to protect American resources. "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," the statement read. It further explained that processing would be paused while procedures are reassessed "to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits."
While the State Department did not publicly release the full list of 75 affected countries, a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity revealed some nations on the list. According to this source, the countries include:
- Russia
- Iran
- Somalia
- Afghanistan
- Brazil
- Egypt
The official indicated that many of the affected countries are in Africa, continuing a trend from the Trump administration which has previously restricted visa processing for dozens of nations.
Context and Potential Impact
This policy represents a major escalation of the "public charge" rule, a long-standing but recently expanded aspect of U.S. immigration law. The rule is designed to deny green cards and visas to individuals who officials believe might rely on government benefits like food stamps, Medicaid, or housing assistance.
The blanket suspension of immigrant visa processing for entire countries is an unprecedented application of this rule. It effectively blocks a primary route to U.S. permanent residency—and eventually citizenship—for a vast number of prospective immigrants based on their country of origin. The move is likely to face legal challenges and could significantly alter immigration patterns, affecting family reunification and employment-based immigration from the targeted nations.
The announcement, made on January 14, 2026, gives a one-week notice before the policy takes effect, leaving potential applicants and their families in a state of uncertainty and scrambling for alternatives.
