Srinagar, Jan 15 — The United States will suspend processing of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, from January 21, as President Donald Trump’s administration widens its immigration crackdown, a State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday.
However, it does not apply to visitor (tourist) visas, which remain unaffected even as the US prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.
A State Department cable sent to US missions and reviewed by Reuters said Washington is carrying out a “full review” of all visa policies and procedures to ensure “the highest level of screening and vetting” of applicants.
The cable said officials had found signs that applicants from the listed countries were more likely to rely on government support after arriving in the US.
“Applicants from these countries are at a high risk for becoming a public charge and recourse to local, state and federal government resources in the United States,” the cable said.
Under the order, consular officers have been told to refuse visas that have already been approved for printing but not yet issued, as well as those that have been printed but not yet handed over to applicants.
The decision was first reported by Fox News.
State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the pause will protect US taxpayers.
“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,” Pigott said.
“Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” he added.
The suspension follows a November directive asking US diplomats to ensure that visa applicants are financially self-sufficient and unlikely to depend on government subsidies.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has ordered a sweeping immigration push, deploying federal agents to major US cities and tightening screening rules.
While his campaign focused on stopping illegal crossings, his administration has also made legal immigration harder, including higher fees for H-1B visas and expanded social media vetting.
The State Department said on Monday that more than 100,000 visas have been revoked since Trump took office.
Immigration policy analysts warned that the new suspension will have far-reaching consequences.
“This administration has proven itself to have the most anti-legal immigration agenda in American history,” said David Bier, Cato Institute’s Director of Immigration Studies.
“This action will ban nearly half of all legal immigrants to the United States, turning away about 315,000 legal immigrants over the next year alone,” he said.
Trump has defended his approach, arguing that tougher rules are needed after years of high migration under former president Joe Biden. In November, he had pledged to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries” following a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national.
Why governments crack down on immigrants?
Crackdowns are driven less by economics and more by politics and fear. Even when economies are strong, governments claim migrants strain healthcare, housing, schools and welfare budgets, framing them as a “public charge.” In reality, immigration has become a powerful vote-winning issue. There is also cultural anxiety — large-scale migration changes language, religion and social habits, forming fears that national identity is being diluted.
Why rich countries still need immigrants?
Even as Washington tightens visa rules, the US — like most rich countries — cannot function without immigration. Its population is aging, birth rates are low, and there are not enough young workers to fill jobs in hospitals, farms, construction sites, research labs and technology firms.
Immigrants are usually younger, work longer and pay more into taxes and social security systems than they take out. Those contributions help fund pensions and healthcare for older Americans. Economists say without steady immigration, the US would face slower growth, labour shortages and rising pressure on public finances.
Legal immigration also allows governments to screen, tax and integrate newcomers, rather than forcing people into irregular migration. This is why, even during crackdowns, the US continues to admit hundreds of thousands of migrants each year — just with stricter filters on who gets in.