The United States will suspend immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries starting Jan. 21, the State Department said on Wednesday.
The department said the suspension will remain in place until authorities can ensure that new immigrants will not place a financial burden on American taxpayers.
Officials described the move as part of the administration’s “America First” approach, aimed at tightening immigration controls and limiting access to public benefits.
“We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused,” a senior official said.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said in a statement that the department “will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people”.
“Immigration from these 75 countries will be suspended while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” he added.
US media outlets reported that the list of affected countries includes Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Brazil and Thailand, among others.
In a post on X, the State Department said the freeze would remain in place until the US could ensure that new immigrants would not “extract wealth from the American people” or rely on welfare at what it called “unacceptable rates”.