The Trump administration is placing an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, further restricting the legal routes for entering the US. The State Department on Wednesday said the administration wants to bring an end to the abuse of the system by those who would extract wealth from the American people by using welfare and public benefits.
President Donald Trump has sought to limit both illegal and legal crossing into the US since returning to office, and his administration has already halted immigrant visa processing for people from Brazil, Iran, Russia, and Somalia.
The order takes effect on 21 January, but a full list of the 75 countries has not yet been released.
The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people, said Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy spokesperson for the US State Department.
According to the Associated Press, the department has instructed consular officers to halt immigrant visa applications from the affected countries. However, the suspension will not apply to non-immigrant, temporary tourist, or business visas.
In recent months, the State Department has increased restrictions on migration from countries Trump has deemed a threat to national security, including Russia, Iran, and Afghanistan. Asylum cases, citizenship processing, and green card applications for immigrants from the initial countries in the ban have also been paused.
President Donald Trump has sought to limit both illegal and legal crossing into the US since returning to office, and his administration has already halted immigrant visa processing for people from Brazil, Iran, Russia, and Somalia.
The order takes effect on 21 January, but a full list of the 75 countries has not yet been released.
The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people, said Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy spokesperson for the US State Department.
According to the Associated Press, the department has instructed consular officers to halt immigrant visa applications from the affected countries. However, the suspension will not apply to non-immigrant, temporary tourist, or business visas.
In recent months, the State Department has increased restrictions on migration from countries Trump has deemed a threat to national security, including Russia, Iran, and Afghanistan. Asylum cases, citizenship processing, and green card applications for immigrants from the initial countries in the ban have also been paused.
