US Halts Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries Including Brazil, Uruguay, and Russia
The US government has announced a significant new measure in its immigration policy. The processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries has been paused, a decision communicated by the White House Press Secretary. This move is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to tighten immigration controls.
Details of the Visa Processing Suspension
On Wednesday, the US government announced its decision to halt the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries. This new measure is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to tighten immigration controls. The decision was communicated by the White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, who posted on social media that “The United States freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, and Iran.” The post included a link to a Fox News report, which specified that the measure specifically targets immigrant visas.
Some of the Countries Included in the US Visa Pause
In the Americas, the suspension affects Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Haiti, and Uruguay, as well as Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Jamaica, Nicaragua, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Other countries affected by the suspension include Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Thailand, among others. The complete list comprises nations that Washington considers sensitive from a national security standpoint.
As of now, the State Department has not responded to requests for comments on the memo cited by Fox News. According to this document, US embassies must deny visas based on current legislation while the Government conducts a comprehensive review of its immigration procedures. No specific timeline has been provided for the potential resumption of the process.
A New Sign of Tightening Immigration
The pause in visa issuance is part of a broader offensive against immigration driven by Trump since his return to the White House in January. The Republican president has repeatedly expressed his intention to strengthen entry controls and limit the arrival of foreigners to the country.
In November, Trump even promised to “permanently stop” immigration from so-called “Third World countries,” following a shooting near the White House by an Afghan citizen, which resulted in the death of a National Guard member.
In line with this, State Department spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, stated on Wednesday that “the State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem potential immigrants who would become a public charge to the United States and take advantage of the generosity of the American people as ineligible.”
The immigration restrictions implemented in January 2026 rely on presidential proclamations and official statements from the State Department and the Office of Customs and Border Protection. According to the Government, the aim is to strengthen control over the entry of people from countries considered risky, in addition to improving the response capacity to international threats.
Federal agencies regularly publish information and the text of these provisions on their official portals, arguing that this ensures transparency and the continuous updating of the regulations governing US immigration policy.
