Consular officers have been instructed to deny visa issuance in accordance with existing laws while the State Department reviews its applicant screening procedures. The restrictions will remain in effect indefinitely.
Among the countries whose citizens will have immigration visa issuance suspended, according to Fox News, are: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, the 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, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, the 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.
The State Department explained that this measure is related to the increased enforcement of the so-called "public charge" rule, which allows authorities to deny entry to foreigners who are deemed likely to become dependent on government assistance in the U.S.
Consular officers are now required to consider multiple factors, such as age, health status, English language proficiency, financial situation, and potential need for long-term medical care.
Visa denial may also be based on the fact that the applicant has previously received government assistance.
Tommy Pigott, a State Department spokesperson, noted that the agency is using its authority to prevent the entry of immigrants who may become a burden on the social assistance system. He added that immigration from the listed 75 countries will be suspended until the review of current procedures is completed.
Exceptions to the new order will be extremely rare and possible only after thorough screening of the applicant against the "public charge" criteria.
This provision to prevent immigrants who may become a burden on the budget has been in effect in the U.S. for several decades; however, its application has varied depending on the administration in power. Under President Donald Trump, the rules were expanded in 2019 but were then partially rescinded under the administration of Joe Biden.
The State Department emphasized that the visa suspension is aimed at protecting taxpayers' interests and preventing abuse of the social assistance system.
