Here is the list of countries affected by the visa suspension as the Trump administration intensifies measures against travel from these regions.
Upon being re-elected as the 47th President of the United States, Trump pledged to initiate ‘the largest deportation program in American history’ to expel ‘criminals’ from the nation.
According to the Department of State, since Trump resumed office, his administration has revoked 100,000 visas.
With a focus on reducing immigration, the Republican president has implemented specific measures for visa applicants from designated countries.
On Wednesday, January 14, Trump announced an indefinite halt to immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.
The State Department explained that the measures aim to end system abuse ‘by those who would extract wealth from the American people’ through welfare and benefits.
“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,” stated Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy spokesperson for the US State Department, as reported by the BBC.
The order becomes effective on January 21, and since then, the State Department has made public the list of all 75 countries affected.
From next week, the State Department is suspending visa applications for nationals from the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, 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.
According to the Associated Press, these new restrictions do not impact non-immigrant tourist or business visas.
This action represents another step in a series of immigration restrictions implemented by Trump since he assumed office almost a year ago.
After returning to the White House, Trump declared his intention to deport any immigrant residing illegally in the U.S., stating: “I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered, and we will put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then kick them the hell out of our country as fast as possible.”