US freezes immigrant visa processing for 75 countries including Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan
The United States will freeze immigrant visa processing for 75 countries starting on January 21 as part of efforts to prevent applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits from entering the country, Fox News Digital reported on January 14.
According to the US, Central Asian and Caucasus states like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Georgia were selected due to data showing high rates of visa overstays, welfare dependency risks and consular concerns over weak local economies and fraud histories. Under tightened “public charge” rules, officials deem applicants from these regions likely to burden US taxpayers, prioritising self-sufficient immigrants as part of Trump’s immigration crackdown.
A State Department leaked memo directs consular officers to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses screening and vetting procedures. The pause will continue indefinitely until the reassessment is completed, according to the memo.
Tommy Piggott, State Department spokesperson, said the department will use its authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States.
"Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused whilst the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits," Piggott said.
The guidance instructs consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits, weighing factors including health, age, English proficiency, finances and potential need for long-term medical care.
Older or overweight applicants, as well as those who have had any past use of government cash assistance or institutionalisation, could be denied.
Somalia has drawn heightened scrutiny from federal officials following a fraud scandal centred in Minnesota, where prosecutors uncovered abuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programmes. Many of those involved are Somali nationals or Somali-Americans.
The 75 countries affected are 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.
Exceptions to the pause will be "very limited" and only allowed after an applicant has cleared public charge considerations, the State Department said.
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