🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
🇺🇸 U.S. TO PAUSE IMMIGRANT VISA PROCESSING🔰
🌍 FOR APPLICANTS FROM 75 COUNTRIES
The Trump administration is set to freeze immigrant visa applications for people from 75 countries –– including Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, Yemen and Haiti –– beginning Jan. 21 and continuing indefinitely
The State Department is directing consulates to not issue immigrant visas for applicants from more than one-third of nations around the world while the department reassesses screening and vetting procedures, a U.S. official confirmed to Spectrum News
The suspension will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, like business or temporary tourist visas, including those traveling to the U.S. for the soccer World Cup, the official confirmed
The pause is part of an effort by U.S. officials to block the entry of foreign nationals who are deemed “likely at any time to become a public charge,” and follows guidelines sent to U.S. consular officers in the fall, advising staff that they could deny visa applications for those with certain health conditions — including obesity, diabetes or cardiovascular disease — that could lead them to rely on public benefits
The most recent changes focus applicants from specific countries –– such as Somalia, which has been a focus of the Trump administration in recent weeks
