Trump Administration Freezes Immigrant Visas for Citizens of 75 Countries
The Donald Trump administration has announced a sweeping suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Iran, Iraq, Russia, and several others. The decision was made public on Wednesday and is being described as part of a broader effort to crack down on immigration that could place a financial burden on the US government.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the US State Department said it would no longer issue immigrant visas to nationals of these countries, accusing sections of their immigrant populations of misusing American welfare systems.
The post stated that the restriction would remain in place until the United States is fully satisfied that new immigrants will not drain public resources or exploit taxpayer-funded welfare programs.
“America First” Reaffirmed by the White House
Echoing the State Department’s position, the White House issued its own statement on X, reinforcing the administration’s hardline stance.
It said the Trump administration would pause immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries until it can guarantee that incoming migrants will not become a burden on the public or rely on American taxpayers for financial support.
The message ended with a familiar slogan: “America First.”
Countries Most Affected
The suspension impacts several vulnerable nations, including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea, where immigrants have historically relied on government assistance upon arriving in the US.
According to the administration, the move is aimed at preventing what it describes as the “abuse of American generosity.” Officials reiterated that protecting taxpayer interests remains a top priority and that the Trump administration would continue to place US citizens first.
Internal Directive to Halt Approvals
A confidential memo from the US State Department, accessed by Fox News Digital, reveals that officials have been instructed to deny visas under existing legal provisions until a full review of screening, vetting, and verification procedures is completed.
The directive effectively puts visa approvals on hold while the administration reassesses how immigrant applications are evaluated—signaling that the freeze may extend unless stricter safeguards are put in place.
Overall, the decision marks another sharp turn in America’s immigration policy, reinforcing the Trump administration’s emphasis on economic self-reliance, reduced welfare dependency, and stricter control over who gets to enter the country.