Shockwave: Trump Announces Indefinite Suspension of Immigrant Visas for 75 Nations

Yuki Lin
6 days ago
4 min read

At the start of 2026, a "nuclear bomb" has been dropped on the American immigration landscape. The Trump administration has once again redefined the boundaries of its hardline stance on border and immigration control.

Breaking: 75 Nations "Closed Off" from Immigrant Pathways

On January 14, 2026, the Trump administration officially announced that, effective January 21, 2026, the U.S. will indefinitely suspend the processing of immigrant visa applications for citizens of 75 countries, including Russia, Brazil, Thailand, Vietnam, Iran, and Somalia.

The official directive is titled:

"Immigrant Visa Processing Updates for Nationalities at High Risk of Public Benefits Usage"

This policy far exceeds the "Travel Bans" of Trump’s first term. For tens of thousands of families worldwide currently awaiting interviews, preparing for medical exams, or holding recent approvals, this ban is a sudden and devastating blow.

Official Policy Breakdown

What happens to citizens of banned countries with pending applications? Applicants may still submit filings and attend scheduled interviews. The State Department will continue to coordinate appointments; however, no immigrant visas will be issued to citizens of these countries for the duration of the suspension.
Do dual citizens (one banned, one non-banned nationality) qualify? Yes. Individuals holding a second nationality from a country not on the list remain eligible for visa issuance.
Are non-immigrant visas affected? No. Non-immigrant categories (such as B1/B2 tourism, F-1 student, or H-1B work visas) are not included in this suspension. However, consular officers are expected to apply more rigorous scrutiny regarding whether these applicants might become "public charges."
Will currently held immigrant visas be revoked? No. According to the guidance, no existing, valid immigrant visas are being canceled.

The "Why" Behind the Ban: Radical "Public Charge" Scrutiny

The core logic of the Trump administration is clear: New immigrants must not become a financial burden on the United States. The State Department asserts that the rate of public benefit usage (Social Security, Medicaid, etc.) among immigrants from these 75 nations is "unacceptably high." To "protect the generosity of the American taxpayer," the government has opted to halt the flow of immigrants from these regions while it re-evaluates screening procedures.

This suspension serves as an "assessment period" for consular officers. Future screenings will likely expand beyond criminal records to include English proficiency, educational background, and even health status (e.g., chronic conditions like hypertension or obesity that could lead to high medical expenditures).

Is This Ban Legally Enforceable?

Yes. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) grants the Executive Branch (the President and the Department of State) broad authority to determine who may enter the country. Specifically, the "Public Charge" provisions allow for the denial of applicants deemed likely to depend on government assistance.

Because this was issued via an administrative memorandum to global consulates, it falls under executive authority and does not require a vote from Congress to take effect.

A Warning: The Era of Strict Scrutiny is Here

Even for citizens of countries not on the ban list, the State Department has granted consular officers significant discretionary power. Immigration is becoming increasingly difficult. Applicants must now treat every detail of their filing with extreme care, evaluate risks against the latest mandates, and work with experienced teams to maximize their chances of success.

Deep Scrutiny: The Necessity of Proactive Planning

In a rapidly shifting policy environment, "waiting" is the greatest enemy. The importance of securing a Green Card early has never been more apparent.

This 75-nation ban is a signal: the era of "checking the boxes" to migrate to the U.S. is over. For families with international goals, "now" is the only viable time to act. Do not wait for the window to close entirely.

EB-1A & NIW: The "Golden Shield" for Global Talent

While the U.S. may limit general labor, it will never reject the minds needed to win global "tech wars." The EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) and NIW (National Interest Waiver) pathways remain stable, high-priority options for professionals with proven achievements.

The New EB-5: The Only "Fast Track" Left

Most immigration paths involve 3–5 year backlogs. However, the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 offers a unique "Concurrent Filing" advantage.

Onshore Adjustment: If already in the U.S., applicants can file the I-526E and I-485 simultaneously. This grants the right to live, work, and travel freely within approximately 90 days.
Reserved Quotas: The new law provides set-aside visas for specific projects, allowing applicants to bypass old backlogs and achieve Green Card status in an average of 1–2 years.

Globe Visa: Your Partner in a Changing America With over 15 years of expertise and 50+ global offices, Globe Visa has assisted over 5,000 families in their U.S. journey. Since the 2022 EB-5 Act, we have successfully launched over 20 projects, maintaining an industry-leading track record. Recognized by IIUSA and ranked as a Top 25 Global Migration Agency, Globe Visa is here to safeguard your American dream.

Would you like me to analyze the specific list of 75 countries or provide more details on the EB-5 "Concurrent Filing" process mentioned here?