The State Division is freezing immigrant visa processing for 75 international locations in an effort to clamp down on candidates it deems more likely to turn into a public cost.
The directive instructs embassies and consulates to halt choices starting Jan. 21 whereas the division reassesses its vetting procedures beneath present immigration regulation, in keeping with an inside memo first reported by Fox Information Digital.
The hassle comes months earlier than the US is about to co-host the 2026 World Cup with practically 2 million tickets offered to followers all over the world. The Trump administration beforehand mentioned “any athlete or member of an athletic staff, together with coaches, individuals performing a essential help function, and quick kinfolk, touring to the World Cup” could be exempt from journey bans.
A State Division spokesperson confirmed the company is pausing immigrant visa processing for the 75 international locations.
“The Trump administration is bringing an finish to the abuse of America’s immigration system by these who would extract wealth from the American individuals,” State Division principal deputy spokesman Tommy Pigott mentioned in assertion Wednesday. “The State Division will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would turn into a public cost on the US and exploit the generosity of the American individuals.”
Donald Trump through the signing of govt orders within the Oval Workplace on the White Home, September 19, 2025. Trump signed a two govt orders establishing the “Trump Gold Card” and introducing a $100,000 payment for H-1B visas. The “Trump Gold Card” is a visa program that enables international nationals everlasting residency and a pathway to U.S. citizenship.
Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Publish by way of Getty Pictures
International locations affected by the pause embody Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand and Yemen, in keeping with the interior memo. The complete listing of nations was not instantly out there, however ABC Information has reached out to the State Division for extra info.
“Immigrant visa processing from these 75 international locations will likely be paused whereas the State Division reassess immigration processing procedures to stop the entry of international nationals who would take welfare and public advantages,” Pigott added Wednesday within the assertion.
Notably, Somalia has drawn scrutiny from the Trump administration in current days following stories of fraud in Minnesota’s social providers system. A self-proclaimed impartial journalist posted a video final month alleging little one care fraud in Minneapolis’ Somali communities. A number of state and native officers have disputed the accuracy of the video, and authorities mentioned on the time not one of the facilities featured within the video had been accused of fraud.
Federal authorities are investigating the allegations within the state’s social providers system, whereas Minnesota officers have disputed the claims of fraud.
President Donald Trump just lately criticized Somali immigrants, describing them as “rubbish” and saying he would not need them in the US throughout a Cupboard assembly final month.
The Trump administration introduced Tuesday it will finish Momentary Protected Standing (TPS) for Somalis in March, successfully forcing as many as 2,400 individuals out of the U.S., regardless of the president’s remarks final month that Somalia was “barely a rustic.”
In November, the State Division circulated a cable to consular places of work worldwide directing employees to use stricter screening measures beneath the “public cost” provision.
Below the steerage, officers are required to disclaim visas to candidates thought of more likely to rely upon public help.
