"For Thai national Khaochat Mankong, 2026 was meant to be the biggest year of her life. After filing the necessary paperwork with the United States embassy in Bangkok, Khaochat, 27, was poised to start a new life with her American husband in California. Last week, Khaochat watched those plans evaporate in an instant as US President Donald Trump's administration announced an indefinite pause on the processing of immigrant visa applications from 75 countries, including Thailand."
"I'm shocked; I never thought they would interfere with permanent visas or marriage visas, Khaochat, an English tutor in Bangkok, told Al Jazeera. But now everything has to be paused for who knows how many years. Khaochat said she had hoped to raise a family in the US and had no intention of claiming any welfare benefits. If they want to screen people, then test language ability, check financial accounts, she said. I have the language skills, I have money."
The US Department of State announced an indefinite pause on processing immigrant visa applications from 75 countries, including Thailand, citing unacceptable rates of migrants claiming welfare benefits. Thai applicants across categories, including EB employment visas and K-class spousal and dependent visas, experienced immediate freezes that disrupted relocation, marriage, and work plans. Individuals who had completed embassy paperwork or paid agencies for visa processing reported sudden setbacks, financial losses, and fears of long-term family separation. Affected applicants requested alternative screening measures such as language and financial checks instead of blanket suspensions and expressed concern about indefinite delays and denied family unification.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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