The United States is officially suspending immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, marking one of the most significant immigration actions of the Trump administration’s second term.
The decision was confirmed Wednesday by the U.S. Department of State and first reported by NBC News, citing an internal State Department memo and official statements from senior administration officials.
The suspension will take effect on January 21, 2026, and applies exclusively to immigrant visas — those issued to foreigners seeking to permanently live in the United States.
What the visa suspension actually covers
According to the State Department, the pause affects U.S. immigrant visas only. This means:
- ✔️ Green card–related immigrant visas are suspended
- ❌ Tourist visas are not affected
- ❌ Student visas are not affected
- ❌ Temporary work visas are not affected
- ❌ World Cup–related travel visas remain valid
The administration stated that the suspension will remain in place “until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.”
The official justification: welfare and “public charge” concerns
In a statement cited by NBC News, State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the pause is intended to prevent the entry of immigrants who could become dependent on public assistance.
“The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” Pigott said.
The State Department specifically referenced concerns that immigrants from the listed countries “take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.”
This language echoes the administration’s broader use of the public charge doctrine — a long-standing immigration standard that allows authorities to deny entry to individuals deemed likely to rely heavily on public benefits.
It is important to note that, under existing law, most green card holders face significant restrictions on welfare access, including a five-year waiting period for programs such as food stamps, non-emergency Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.
— Department of State (@StateDept) January 14, 2026
The full list of affected countries
A U.S. official confirmed to NBC News that the suspension applies to nationals of the following 75 countries:
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.
Brazil’s inclusion has drawn particular attention online, as it had not been widely expected to appear on the list.
This is not the first escalation
The suspension represents an escalation, not a sudden shift.
In December, the administration already halted immigration applications from nationals of 19 countries. Earlier this week, officials also announced the revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis currently living in the United States.
Together, these moves signal a broader tightening of immigration policy focused on permanent residency rather than temporary travel or employment.
Why this is happening now
The timing is not accidental. The decision comes amid continued economic anxiety, persistent layoffs in tech and white-collar sectors, and heightened political focus on immigration enforcement.
We’ve already documented how immigration uncertainty intersects with job insecurity:
Related: Amazon layoffs 2026: up to 30,000 jobs at risk by May
However, labor market data consistently shows that recent job losses are driven primarily by automation, restructuring, and cost-cutting — not by immigrant labor.
Context: Will AI Really Replace All Jobs? What the Data Actually Says
What this means for workers, families, and employers
For individuals seeking permanent residency from the affected countries, the impact is immediate: applications will not be processed after January 21.
For employers, the effect is more indirect. Companies relying on long-term immigration pipelines may face delays or uncertainty, while short-term hiring remains unaffected.
For workers already in the U.S., the announcement has reignited fears around status, enforcement, and future eligibility.
The role of misinformation — and why clarity matters
Before NBC News confirmed the policy, social media was flooded with exaggerated claims ranging from total visa bans to World Cup cancellations.
This episode highlights how quickly partial information can turn into panic — especially during periods of economic stress.
While the policy is real and significant, it is also narrowly defined. It does not apply to tourists, students, temporary workers, or short-term visitors.
The takeaway
The U.S. is suspending immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026 — a move officially justified by concerns over welfare use and public benefits.
The action marks a clear escalation in immigration enforcement, but it is not a blanket visa ban and does not affect short-term travel or employment.
As with layoffs and automation, the greatest risk may not be the policy itself, but confusion amplified by incomplete or misleading narratives.