Overview
- The State Department confirmed a 75-country list and directed consular posts to stop issuing immigrant visas to those nationals beginning Jan. 21.
- The pause covers only immigrant visas for permanent residence, with tourist, student, and business visas continuing unaffected and no already issued immigrant visas revoked.
- Consular interviews may still be scheduled, but immigrant visas will not be issued during the suspension; dual nationals applying with a passport from a non‑listed country are exempt.
- Officials cite concern over future reliance on public benefits and are reviewing policies, screening, and guidance, though they have not released country-level data supporting the decision.
- Lawyers and advocates report immediate disruptions to family reunifications and employment-based cases, as the move extends the administration’s broader immigration enforcement campaign.