U.S. Freezes Visa Processing for 75 Countries Over Public Charge Concerns

The State Department will pause visa processing beginning Jan. 21 as it reassesses screening procedures aimed at blocking applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits.

The State Department is pausing all visa processing for 75 countries in an effort to crack down on applicants deemed likely to become a public charge. A State Department memo, directs consular officers to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses screening and vetting procedures. The countries include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Yemen and more. The pause will begin Jan. 21 and will continue indefinitely until the department conducts a reassessment of visa processing. The guidance instructs consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits, weighing a wide range of factors including health, age, English proficiency, finances and even potential need for long-term medical care. “Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.” Exceptions to the new pause will be “very limited” and only allowed after an applicant has cleared public charge considerations. Pplease just suggest one headline and one sub headline and categoriy and sub category and tags