Trump Suspends Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries: Who’s Affected?

In a sweeping move, President Donald Trump’s administration has announced a pause on immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries. The new policy, effective January 21, 2026, applies to family-based and employment-based green cards. It’s one of the broadest immigration actions in recent U.S. history and has raised questions worldwide about who exactly will be affected.

Why the Suspension?

According to the U.S. Department of State, the pause is meant to review visa applications more closely under the “public charge” rule. This rule allows officials to deny visas to people they believe might rely on government benefits.

The State Department says the policy aims to:

Ensure applicants won’t become a financial burden on taxpayers.

Improve the process for vetting applicants.

It’s important to note: this only affects immigrant visas — pathways to permanent residency. Tourist, student, and work visas are not impacted.

Which Countries Are on the List?

The affected countries span six regions, including Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and island nations in the Caribbean. Some notable examples:

Asia & Middle East: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Thailand, Yemen

Africa: Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania

Americas & Caribbean: Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua

Europe & Eurasia: Russia, Belarus, Albania, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia

Middle East & North Africa: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia

Island nations: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Saint Lucia

In total, 75 countries are affected, potentially impacting over 300,000 immigrants annually.

Who Is Not Affected?

Not everyone from these countries will feel the impact. Exceptions include:

Non-immigrant visa holders (tourists, students, temporary workers).

Dual nationals applying with a passport from a country not on the list.

People already in the U.S. on valid visas or adjusting their status.

So, while the policy is broad, it doesn’t completely shut the door for everyone.

The Human Impact

Immigration advocates are sounding the alarm. Critics argue the suspension could:

Separate families for months or years.

Slow economic growth, as many skilled workers may be delayed.

Harm refugees and vulnerable groups seeking safety or reunification.

Even allies like Brazil and Albania are on the list, showing just how wide-reaching this policy is.

Supporters, on the other hand, say it’s about protecting American taxpayers and ensuring that immigration doesn’t overburden social services.

Legal and Diplomatic Challenges

Many legal experts predict court battles ahead. Previous public charge rules have faced judicial scrutiny for:

Overly broad application.

Potential violation of due process rights.

Diplomatically, affected countries may raise concerns with the U.S., especially if the policy disrupts family connections or labor markets.

Key Takeaways

Here’s a quick summary for readers:

Who is affected? Citizens of 75 countries applying for immigrant visas.

Who is not affected? Tourist, student, and temporary work visa holders.

Why the suspension? To better enforce the public charge rule and prevent potential reliance on public benefits.

Potential impacts: Family separation, legal battles, economic consequences, and diplomatic tensions.

The new suspension marks a major shift in U.S. immigration policy. Whether it achieves its goals or sparks wider backlash, it’s clear that this will be a story with global consequences, affecting hundreds of thousands of prospective immigrants and their families.