US freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Iran
What's the story
The United States State Department has suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, Iran, and Afghanistan. The decision comes as part of an effort to prevent applicants who are likely to become a public charge from entering the country. The suspension will start on January 21 and will continue until further notice as the department reviews its screening and vetting processes, a State Department memo said.
Scandal impact
Visa suspension follows fraud scandal in Minnesota
Per Fox News, the move against Somalia comes after a major fraud scandal in Minnesota, where federal officials found widespread abuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programs. The investigation revealed that many involved were Somali nationals or Somali-Americans. In November 2025, the State Department had already directed consular officers worldwide to implement new screening rules under the "public charge" provision of immigration law.
Twitter Post
Read the notification here
The US State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates...The pause impacts dozens of countries – including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea – whose immigrants often become public… pic.twitter.com/k4bat2LWSw
— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2026
Screening criteria
New screening rules under 'public charge' provision
The new screening rules require consular officers to deny visas to applicants likely to rely on public benefits. Factors such as health, age, English proficiency, finances, and potential need for long-term medical care will be considered. Applicants who are older or overweight, as well as those who have previously received government cash assistance or were institutionalized, could be denied.
Official statement
State Department spokesperson comments on visa suspension
State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said, "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." While the public charge provision has been in place for decades, its enforcement has varied across administrations. Exceptions to the new pause will be "very limited" and allowed only after an applicant clears public charge considerations.
Exception policy
List fo other countries
Other countries on the list are Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.