The United States has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, marking another major step by President Donald Trump to restrict immigration into the country.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the US State Department said, “The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt disclosed on X that the affected countries include Somalia, Russia, and Iran. Somalia has been a frequent target of Trump’s criticism, particularly after immigrants were linked to a funding scandal in Minnesota.
Leavitt shared a Fox News report indicating that the suspension would also apply to several countries that maintain friendly relations with the United States, such as Brazil, Egypt, and Thailand.
Trump has repeatedly expressed his determination to curb immigration from non-European countries. In the past, he described Somalis as “garbage” who should “go back to where they came from,” while stating a preference for immigrants from Scandinavian nations.
Earlier this week, the State Department revealed that more than 100,000 visas have been revoked since Trump returned to office, setting a one-year record.
In a related update, the Department of Homeland Security said last month that over 605,000 people have been deported under the current administration, while an estimated 2.5 million others left the country voluntarily.
Officials clarified that the latest suspension does not apply to tourist or business visas. However, the Trump administration has reiterated its plan to subject all visa applicants to extensive screening, including reviews of their social media activity.
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