The United States on Wednesday announced that it is suspending the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries, President Donald Trump’s latest move restricting entry for foreigners seeking to live in America.
A State Department spokesperson said, “The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.”
The State Department said the move is intended to prevent abuse of the immigration system by people likely to rely on welfare and public benefits. The order took effect on 21 January, although the full list of affected countries has not been released.
The instruction, which takes effect from January 21, orders American embassies and consulates to halt visa processing for nationals of at least 73 countries while authorities reassess vetting procedures.
The memo, first reported by Fox News, directs consular officers to rely on existing legal grounds to refuse applications during the review period.
Immigrant visa processing had already been suspended for nationals of Brazil, Iran, Russia and Somalia. The latest pause does not apply to non-immigrant visas such as tourist or business travel.
The administration has expanded migration restrictions in recent months, citing national security concerns. Asylum, citizenship and green card processing for immigrants from previously banned countries have also been put on hold.
See full list below:
1. Afghanistan
2. Albania
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3. Algeria
4. Antigua and Barbuda
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5. Armenia
6. Azerbaijan
7. Bahamas
8. Bangladesh
9. Barbados
10. Belarus
11. Belize
12. Bhutan
13. Bosnia
14. Brazil
15. Burma
16. Cambodia
17. Cameroon
18. Cape Verde
19. Colombia
20. Cote d’Ivoire
21. Cuba
22. Democratic Republic of the Congo
23. Dominica
24. Egypt
25. Eritrea
26. Ethiopia
27. Fiji
28. Gambia
29. Georgia
30. Ghana
31. Grenada
32. Guatemala
33. Guinea
34. Haiti
35. Iran
36. Iraq
37. Jamaica
38. Jordan
39. Kazakhstan
40. Kosovo
41. Kuwait
42.Kyrgyzstan
43. Laos
44. Lebanon
45. Liberia
46. Libya
47. Macedonia
48. Moldova
49. Mongolia
50. Montenegro
51. Morocco
52. Nepal
53. Nicaragua
54. Nigeria
55. Pakistan
56. Republic of the Congo
57. Russia
58. Rwanda
59. Saint Kitts and Nevis
60. Saint Lucia
61. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
62. Senegal
63. Sierra Leone
64. Somalia
65. South Sudan
66. Sudan
67. Syria
68. Tanzania
69. Thailand
70. Togo
71. Tunisia
72. Uganda
73. Uruguay
74. Uzbekistan
75. Yemen
