List: Which countries is U.S. suspending immigrant visa processing?

"The suspension comes after the State Department last year directed increased scrutiny under the public charge provision of immigration law meant to target those who the Trump administration believes will become a strain on public resources. 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 Pigott said in a statement Wednesday."

"A number of the countries impacted by the visa processing suspension were already included as part of the administration's expanded travel ban list. According to a US official, the countries impacted by the suspension in immigrant visa processing are Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea,"

The United States is indefinitely pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries beginning January 21 to reassess procedures and curb entry of nationals likely to use welfare or public benefits. The pause targets immigrant visas for employment or family reunification and excludes non-immigrant visas such as student and tourist visas, leaving short-term travel unaffected. The action follows heightened scrutiny under the public-charge provision of immigration law and will use long-standing authority to deem certain potential immigrants ineligible. Many of the affected countries overlap with the administration's expanded travel ban list, and an extensive list of nations is identified.

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