Migration to US: ‘Bangladesh, 74 countries to be hit by visa freeze’

The United States will suspend processing immigrant visas from 75 countries, including Bangladesh, Fox News reported. 

While the US has long denied visas to individuals deemed likely to rely on government welfare, the State Department said it will now use the same authority for a blanket suspension of immigrant visas based on nationality.

“The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” Fox News quoted State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott as saying.

“Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” he added.

The spokesperson did not elaborate on the plan. According to the report, the pause will begin on January 21.

Fox News said Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand are among the affected countries. The State Department has not yet released a full list.

US President Donald Trump has long expressed his desire to reduce immigration from non-European countries.

The State Department said Monday that it has revoked more than 100,000 visas since Trump returned to office, setting a one-year record. The Department of Homeland Security reported last month that the administration has deported more than 605,000 people, while 2.5 million others left voluntarily.

The latest measure does not affect tourist, business, or other visas, including those for soccer fans attending this year’s World Cup, though the Trump administration has pledged to vet all applicants’ social media histories.

In November, Trump vowed to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World countries” following a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national that killed a National Guard member.