WASHINGTON—The United States is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, the State Department told The Epoch Times.
The suspension takes effect Jan. 21.
The department said the pause affects countries “whose immigrants often become public charges on the United States upon arrival.
“We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused,” the State Department said.
The countries include Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
In November, the Trump administration ordered increased restrictions on visas under a revised “public charge” rule of immigration law. It instructs immigration officers to deny visas to applicants who would likely need to rely on public assistance. Other factors weighed include English proficiency, health, finances, and age.
The Trump administration has said it has revoked 100,000 visas so far.
