The State Department announced on January 15 that it will halt processing visas for immigrants from 75 countries beginning January 21, one of the most expansive travel restrictions of the administration and a move that touches more than a third of the world's nations.
Among the countries affected are Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The restrictions apply to immigrant visa categories; the department said nonimmigrant processing would continue on a case-by-case basis.
Who Bears the Cost
Immigration attorneys say the halt will strand tens of thousands of applicants already in queue, including family-based cases years in the making and diversity visa winners whose windows are closing.
Business groups have also raised alarms about high-skilled workers who rely on the same consular system, though the administration has framed the pause as a security review rather than a permanent policy. Litigation is expected in multiple federal circuits.
