Trump administration suspends immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries

"The Donald Trump administration has indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries, marking one of its most expansive efforts yet to restrict legal pathways to the United States. The freeze, which takes effect on 21 January, targets applicants officials deem likely to become a public charge who they describe as people who may rely on government benefits for basic needs."

"The freeze will remain active until the US can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people, the statement continued. We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused. The Trump administration's crackdown on immigration has intensified to record levels, even as nationwide protests over the killing of Renee Good have drawn attention to law enforcement practices."

"The state department says it revoked more than 100,000 visas since Trump returned to office, while the homeland security department reported last month that more than 605,000 people have been deported, while an additional 2.5 million left the country on their own. The administration has particularly focused on Somali Americans following fraud allegations and federal investigations in Minnesota."

Immigrant visa processing from 75 countries is indefinitely suspended effective 21 January, targeting applicants officials deem likely to become public charges. The pause is aimed at applicants described as potentially relying on government benefits and will remain until officials are confident new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people. Named examples include Brazil, Iran, Russia, Somalia, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Eritria, Haiti, Thailand and Yemen, though the full list is unreleased. The administration reports revoking over 100,000 visas, deporting more than 605,000 people, and seeing 2.5 million others leave voluntarily. The move follows expanded travel bans, asylum suspensions, halted citizenship and green card processing, and intensified focus on Somali Americans amid fraud allegations and federal probes.

Read at www.theguardian.com