US State Department Immigrant Visa Freeze 2026 Hits 75 Nations

The American dream is becoming increasingly exclusive. The U.S. State Department has reportedly frozen immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, citing concerns that applicants are likely to become a "public charge" and rely on welfare benefits.

The US State Department Immigrant Visa Freeze 2026 Context

According to reports from CNN and Fox, the pause is set to take effect on January 21, 2026. This move marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which has already seen the expansion of non-immigrant visa bans for business, tourism, and study.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott stated that the department is using its "long-standing authority" to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who might "exploit the generosity of the American people." While African nations are disproportionately affected, 13 Asian states have also found themselves on the restricted list.

Asia's 13: Targeted Countries and Discrepancies

The list includes countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Pakistan. Curiously, the selection criteria remain opaque. Central Asia's wealthiest nations, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, are on the list, while the region's poorest, Tajikistan, is not.

For some, this is another layer of financial burden. Countries like Nepal and Bhutan were recently added to a visa bond program requiring payments up to $15,000. The administration's focus on the "public charge" provision follows Trump's pledge to "permanently pause" migration from what he termed "Third World Countries" following a security incident in November 2025.