The United States has announced that it will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The US State Department said that migrants from these countries take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates and they often become public charges on the United States upon arrival.
The freeze will remain active until the US can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people. The decision came after the US President Donald Trump said that no country can afford to take in millions of people and pay for their education and health care. Mr Trump further said that his administration will not make any payments to sanctuary cities from 1st of next month.
The State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said it had instructed consular officers to halt immigrant visa applications from the countries affected in accordance with a broader order issued in November that tightened rules around potential immigrants who might become “public charges” in the US.
The suspension, which will begin January 21, will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, or temporary tourist or business visas, who make up the vast majority of visa seekers. Demand for non-immigrant visas is expected to rise dramatically in the coming months and years due to the upcoming 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics both of which the US will host or co-host.
“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,” the department said in a statement. “Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”