The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries as part of a new effort to stop applicants who are likely to become a “public charge” — meaning they could end up relying on U.S. taxpayer-funded benefits.
A State Department memo, first obtained by Fox News Digital, instructs consular officers to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses its screening and vetting process.
The countries impacted by the pause include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Yemen, and dozens more.
The pause is scheduled to begin Jan. 21 and will remain in effect indefinitely while the department conducts its reassessment.
Somalia is drawing heightened scrutiny following a sweeping fraud scandal centered in Minnesota, where prosecutors uncovered massive abuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programs. Many of those involved were Somali nationals or Somali Americans.
The move follows a State Department cable sent in November 2025 to posts worldwide, directing consular officers to apply expanded screening rules under the “public charge” provision of immigration law.
Under the guidance, consular officers are instructed to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits. Officers are told to weigh a broad range of factors, including an applicant’s health, age, English proficiency, finances, and even whether they could require long-term medical care.
Applicants who are older or overweight could face denial, along with those who have previously used government cash assistance or who have a history of institutionalization.
“The State 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,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said in a statement.
“Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”
While the public charge provision has existed for decades, enforcement has varied significantly depending on the administration. Historically, consular officers have been given broad discretion in how aggressively the standard is applied.
According to the memo, exceptions to the pause will be “very limited” and will only be granted after an applicant clears the department’s public charge concerns.
This article originally appeared on Official Trump Tracker. It is republished with permission.
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