Trump Immigrant Visa Suspension 2026: 75 Nations Blocked in Massive Crackdown

The American Dream just got a lot harder to reach. The Trump administration's widening crackdown on immigration has now culminated in a sweeping freeze of immigrant visas for dozens of nations.

According to Al Jazeera and other news agencies, the U.S. Department of State announced on January 14, 2026, that it'll suspend immigrant visa processing for 75 countries worldwide. The administration claims these countries have high rates of migrants who "take welfare from the American people."

The Trump Immigrant Visa Suspension Strategy

The freeze, set to begin on January 21, targets nations whose citizens supposedly extract wealth from U.S. taxpayers at "unacceptable rates." Confirmed nations include Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea. Reporting from AFP suggests that major nations like Brazil, Egypt, and Nigeria are also on the list.

It's important to note that this suspension doesn't apply to non-immigrant visas, such as those for temporary tourists or business travelers. However, for those seeking permanent residency, the door is effectively locked until the U.S. government decides otherwise.

Unprecedented Scale of Immigration Enforcement

Since returning to office in January 2025, President Trump has pursued the most aggressive anti-immigration agenda in modern history. The Department of Homeland Security recently reported the deportation of over 605,000 people in just one year, while 2.5 million others left the country voluntarily.

The State Department also confirmed it has revoked more than 100,000 visas since the start of the current term—a record-breaking figure. Armed immigration officers have become a common sight in major U.S. cities, tasked with detaining individuals accused of being in the country illegally.

The Human and Economic Toll

Critics aren't staying silent. David Bier of the Cato Institute warns that this action will ban nearly half of all legal immigrants, turning away approximately 315,000 people over the next year. He described the move as the most anti-legal immigration agenda in American history.

The American Immigration Council pointed out that 70% of the targeted nations are in Africa, raising concerns about systemic bias and the long-term impact on international relations.