Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

The State Department has officially suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.

Getting into it: In a statement, the State Department said the suspension is a targeted measure to ensure “that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.” Effective January 21, this policy will pause the issuance of immigrant visas (those intended for foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the US) but will not apply to short-term visas for tourists, students, or temporary workers, including those related to global events like the World Cup. The department added that the freeze “will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people,” and said  it is reassessing screening procedures to better evaluate applicants under the “public charge” standard.

State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott defended the move as part of a broader immigration enforcement agenda, stating, “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.”

He added, “The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people.”

The 75 countries affected by this policy include: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, 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, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, 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.