Washington: In a sweeping move tightening US immigration controls, the Donald Trump administration has suspended immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh. A senior official confirmed on Wednesday that the freeze took effect from January 21.
The decision, communicated through an internal memo issued by the US State Department, puts visa issuance on hold indefinitely while authorities undertake a comprehensive review of existing screening and vetting procedures.
Pakistan, Bangladesh face sharp fallout
Pakistan and Bangladesh are among the nations most severely impacted by the suspension, which spans multiple regions—Africa, the Middle East, Europe, South America and Asia. Countries affected include Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand, Iraq, Egypt and Yemen.
In Pakistan, the timing has sparked political controversy. The freeze coincided with a high-profile event involving the country’s leadership and the family of US envoy Steve Witkoff, triggering criticism at home and accusations of diplomatic embarrassment.
‘Public charge’ at the heart of the pause
According to the State Department memo, the visa halt is aimed at clamping down on applicants deemed likely to become a “public charge” in the United States. Consular officials have been instructed to deny visas using existing legal authority while vetting standards are reassessed.
US embassies and consulates worldwide have been directed to refuse visa applications during the review period, with no clarity on when normal processing will resume.
Stricter scrutiny for applicants
Under the new guidance, visa officers must apply tougher criteria, assessing factors such as health, age, English proficiency, financial stability and potential long-term medical needs. Applicants likely to depend on public assistance in the US will be refused visas during the suspension.
Part of Trump’s broader immigration clampdown
The move marks another escalation in President Trump’s hardline immigration agenda since returning to office last January. The administration has consistently justified tighter entry rules on national security grounds and concerns over misuse of public resources.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott defended the policy, saying the government must protect American taxpayers from potential exploitation of welfare systems.
Global uncertainty, no end in sight
The scale of the freeze has raised alarms over its impact on tourism, education, business travel and family reunification. Thousands of students, workers and families now face uncertainty as the State Department has offered no timeline for completing its review.
Until then, embassies and consulates have been ordered to strictly enforce existing laws, underscoring another significant shift in US visa policy under President Trump.
