The U.S. State Department announced on January 14, 2026, an indefinite freeze on immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, effective January 21. The decision targets nations whose migrants are deemed to utilize U.S. welfare programs at “unacceptable rates,” according to a social media statement from the department.
Affected countries include Somalia, Haiti, Iran, Eritrea, Russia, Afghanistan, and Nigeria, among others. The State Department cited concerns about immigrants becoming “public charges” as a primary justification. This follows the White House’s January 13 termination of Temporary Protected Status for Somali immigrants, linked to fraud allegations in Minnesota.
The policy builds on former President Donald Trump’s November 2025 pledge to suspend immigration from what he described as “Third World countries,” made after a National Guard member’s death involving an Afghan national near the White House. Since taking office in January 2025, the Trump administration has revoked over 100,000 visas, per recent State Department data.
Business analysts warn the freeze could impact labor markets and international relations, while advocacy groups criticize it as discriminatory. The department has not provided a timeline for its visa processing reassessment.
