The State Division is freezing immigrant visa processing for 75 international locations in an effort to clamp down on candidates it deems prone to grow to be a public cost.
The directive instructs embassies and consulates to halt selections starting Jan. 21 whereas the division reassesses its vetting procedures beneath current immigration regulation, in line with an inside memo first reported by Fox Information Digital.
The trouble comes months earlier than america is ready to co-host the 2026 World Cup with almost 2 million tickets offered to followers world wide. The Trump administration beforehand mentioned “any athlete or member of an athletic staff, together with coaches, individuals performing a needed help function, and quick relations, touring to the World Cup” can be exempt from journey bans.
A State Division spokesperson confirmed the company is pausing immigrant visa processing for the 75 international locations.
“The Trump administration is bringing an finish to the abuse of America’s immigration system by these who would extract wealth from the American folks,” State Division principal deputy spokesman Tommy Pigott mentioned in assertion Wednesday. “The State Division will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would grow to be a public cost on america and exploit the generosity of the American folks.”
Donald Trump in the course of the signing of government orders within the Oval Workplace on the White Home, September 19, 2025. Trump signed a two government orders establishing the “Trump Gold Card” and introducing a $100,000 price for H-1B visas. The “Trump Gold Card” is a visa program that enables international nationals everlasting residency and a pathway to U.S. citizenship.
Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Submit through Getty Photos
International locations affected by the pause embody Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand and Yemen, in line with the inner memo. The total listing of nations was not instantly accessible, however ABC Information has reached out to the State Division for extra data.
“Immigrant visa processing from these 75 international locations will likely be paused whereas the State Division reassess immigration processing procedures to stop the entry of international nationals who would take welfare and public advantages,” Pigott added Wednesday within the assertion.
Notably, Somalia has drawn scrutiny from the Trump administration in current days following experiences of fraud in Minnesota’s social companies system. A self-proclaimed unbiased journalist posted a video final month alleging baby care fraud in Minneapolis’ Somali communities. A number of state and native officers have disputed the accuracy of the video, and authorities mentioned on the time not one of the facilities featured within the video had been accused of fraud.
Federal authorities are investigating the allegations within the state’s social companies system, whereas Minnesota officers have disputed the claims of fraud.
President Donald Trump not too long ago criticized Somali immigrants, describing them as “rubbish” and saying he does not need them in america throughout a Cupboard assembly final month.
The Trump administration introduced Tuesday it might finish Momentary Protected Standing (TPS) for Somalis in March, successfully forcing as many as 2,400 folks out of the U.S., regardless of the president’s remarks final month that Somalia was “barely a rustic.”
In November, the State Division circulated a cable to consular places of work worldwide directing employees to use stricter screening measures beneath the “public cost” provision.
Beneath the steering, officers are required to disclaim visas to candidates thought of prone to rely on public help.
