The administration of President Donald Trump has once more tightened US immigration policy. As of January 21, the U.S. Department of State has indefinitely suspended the issuance of immigrant visas to residents of 75 countries.
The move represents considered one of the broadest restrictions on legal immigration pathways since Trump returned to office in January 2025. The US government has said the policy is meant to stop the entry of migrants who could potentially develop into depending on public assistance.
The policy was described in an internal State Department cable distributed to diplomatic officials. The suspension applies to immigrant visa applicants who could also be deemed “publicly indictable,” people who find themselves expected to learn from U.S. government welfare programs.
Countries covered by this policy
The list of affected countries covers just about all regions of the world. Nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and the Caribbean were included. Notable countries on the list include Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Somalia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Iraq and Syria.
Southeast Asia also had a major impact. Countries subject to immigration visa suspensions include Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Overall, these policies affect almost half of Southeast Asia, indicating a direct impact on migration flows from the region to the United States.
Suspension mechanism and limited exceptions
According to an internal dispatch, consular officials are required to suspend all immigration visa procedures starting January 21. Even applications which have already been approved but not yet printed should be rejected and instructed that they “must reject the case.”
Exemptions are only granted in certain circumstances. Dual nationals could also be exempt in the event that they apply using the passport of a rustic that will not be on the suspension list.
Additionally, applicants who can exhibit that their travel serves the national interests of the United States under the America First principle might also be eligible for an exemption.
The Department of State stressed that the policy doesn’t apply to nonimmigrant visas, similar to tourist and business visas. Visas in these categories will proceed to be processed and demand is predicted to extend ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games, which shall be held within the United States.
Tightening the “public charge” rule.
The visa suspension is predicated on the expanded application of the “public charge” principle in US immigration law. Under updated guidelines issued last November, consular officers are required to conduct comprehensive screening of immigrant visa applicants.
The assessment takes into consideration many aspects, including age, health, family situation, financial situation, education level, job skills and history of receiving public assistance. Consular officers might also assess an applicant’s English language proficiency through in-person interviews.
A separate notice also directed nonimmigrant visa applicants to undergo background checks to make sure they are going to not receive public assistance while within the United States.
Continuation of Trump’s tough immigration program
According to the Associated Press, the policy is an element of a broader series of immigration restrictions introduced since Trump returned to the White House. The administration has previously suspended or limited visa processing to dozens of nations, prolonged travel bans and, for some groups, delayed processing of asylum and green card applications.
“The Trump Administration is ending the abuse of the U.S. immigration system by those seeking to extract wealth from the American people,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.
By suspending immigration visas for residents of 75 countries, including several from Southeast Asia, the Trump administration once more reaffirmed its tough approach to legal immigration while reviewing and tightening screening procedures for people entering the United States.
