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By Dan Gooding
Associate News Editor
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The Trump administration said Wednesday that it would freeze all visa processing for 75 countries, including Thailand, Russia, and Brazil, starting January 21.
As part of ongoing efforts to review and update vetting processes, the Department of State has decided to pause all visa issuances for these countries, largely in Asia and Africa, until further notice.
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Why It Matters
Many of the countries listed were already included in a partial or full travel ban updated in December—a move the Trump administration said was necessary for national security. Opponents to travel bans and restrictions have warned that blanket policies leave many immigrants with legal status, who have done no wrong and already been vetted, without access to the U.S., and often their loved ones.
What To Know
The visa freeze was first reported by Fox News Digital on Wednesday, with the outlet later confirming the full list of countries affected. The State Department confirmed it was pausing visas with Newsweek, but did not immediately respond to questions on the included countries.
Unlike other travel bans, which for some countries only affect certain visa types, this appeared to be a total pause on visa processing for the countries included.
When President Donald Trump first announced his travel ban last summer, and then the updated list in December, some critics questioned why Russia was not on the list, given the ongoing tensions between Moscow and Washington over Ukraine. Wednesday’s list changed that, with Russia now seeing visas paused.
Other new additions included Albania, the Bahamas, Cambodia, Egypt, Georgia, Jamaica, and Lebanon.
The State Department is responsible for vetting potential immigrants for visas outside the U.S. and processing them at consulates and embassies around the world. Officers at these posts have already been instructed to change the way they process applications over the past 12 months, including increased social media screening.
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What People Are Saying
The State Department, in posts on X: “The pause impacts dozens of countries – including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea – whose immigrants often become public charges on the United States upon arrival. We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused. The Trump Administration will always put America First.”
What Happens Next
The pause will come into effect on Wednesday, January 21, with no end date set at this time.
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