Trump Administration Immigrant Visa Pause 75 Countries: New Restrictions Loom

Is the door to the American Dream closing for millions? The Trump administration is placing an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, further tightening the grip on legal entry into the United States. The State Department announced Wednesday that the move aims to end the "abuse" of the welfare system by foreign nationals.

The Trump Administration Immigrant Visa Pause 75 Countries Order

Effective January 21, 2026, the order will prevent potential immigrants who might become a "public charge" from entering the country. Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, oversees the department that will reassess procedures to block those seeking public benefits. While the full list of 75 nations hasn't been released, processing for Brazil, Iran, Russia, and Somalia has already been halted.

Scope of the Ban and National Security Context

According to the Associated Press, this suspension doesn't apply to non-immigrant visas, such as those for temporary tourism or business. However, the net is widening. In December, the travel ban was expanded to five additional countries. This follows a previous restriction on 19 countries implemented after a security incident involving an Afghan national in November.