The State Department is freezing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries in an effort to clamp down on applicants it deems likely to become a public charge.<\/p>\n
The directive instructs embassies and consulates to halt decisions beginning Jan. 21 while the department reassesses its vetting procedures under existing immigration law, according to an internal memo first reported by Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n
The effort comes months before the United States is set to co-host the 2026 World Cup with nearly 2 million tickets sold to fans around the world. The Trump administration previously said “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling to the World Cup” would be exempt from travel bans.<\/p>\n
A State Department spokesperson confirmed the agency is pausing immigrant visa processing for the 75 countries.<\/p>\n
“The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America\u2019s immigration system\u00a0by those\u00a0who would extract wealth from the American people,” State Department principal deputy spokesman Tommy Pigott said in statement Wednesday. “The State Department will use its long-standing authority to\u00a0deem\u00a0ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit\u00a0the\u00a0generosity of the American people.”<\/p>\n
![\"PHOTO:](\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/6dbd62d6-44f7-420f-83c6-3b57edd876ab\/trump-gty-jef-260114_1768413406481_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg?w=375 "\\"America\\"")
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>Donald Trump during the signing of executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House, September 19, 2025. Trump signed a two executive orders establishing the “Trump Gold Card” and introducing a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. The “Trump Gold Card” is a visa program that allows foreign nationals permanent residency and a pathway to U.S. citizenship.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Demetrius Freeman\/The Washington Post via Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Countries affected by the pause include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand and Yemen, according to the internal memo. The full list of countries was not immediately available, but ABC News has reached out to the State Department for more information.<\/p>\n “Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused\u00a0while the State Department\u00a0reassess\u00a0immigration processing\u00a0procedures\u00a0to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who\u00a0would\u00a0take welfare and public benefits,” Pigott added Wednesday in the statement.<\/p>\n Notably, Somalia has drawn scrutiny\u00a0from the Trump administration\u00a0in recent days following reports of\u00a0fraud in Minnesota’s social services system.\u00a0A\u00a0self-proclaimed independent journalist posted a video last month alleging child care fraud in Minneapolis’ Somali communities. Several state and local officials have disputed the accuracy of the video, and authorities said at the time none of the centers featured in the video were accused of fraud.<\/p>\n Federal authorities are investigating the allegations\u00a0in the state’s social services system, while Minnesota officials have disputed the claims of fraud.<\/p>\n