Trump halts visas from Russia, Brazil, Egypt, Thailand and 71 others in massive immigration crackdown...
THE State Department is abruptly halting visa processing for migrants from 75 countries in its latest immigration crackdown.
Federal officials are pausing entry for applicants they fear would become reliant on taxpayer money if allowed into the US.
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The pause will take effect on January 21 and continue indefinitely as officials audit screening and vetting procedures.
Countries affected by the change include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Yemen, and more, a memo seen by Fox News states.
Authorities honed in on the nations after determining that applicants from the countries are more likely to become primarily dependent on government assistance.
The announcement was made after a swath of Somali immigrants living in Minnesota was linked to a fraud scandal that prosecutors estimate could have snatched $9 billion from the state’s budget.
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The sensational scam has led Governor Tim Walz to remove his name from the next ballot and has raised questions about how much funding is being allocated to noncitizens.
Trump hasn’t been shy about wanting only the finest in America, as his administration previously reminded officials that everything from an applicant’s weight to finances should be considered before a visa is granted.
In November, the State Department issued a reminder to US embassies worldwide that the fitness of every visa applicant is of utmost importance.
Health, age, English proficiency, financials, and potential for long-term medical care should all be considered when determining whether a migrant will require government-funded assistance, officials said.
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In a confidential message to global ministries, the department said at the time, “Self-sufficiency has been a longstanding principle of US immigration policy.”
Federal officials said this has been a part of immigration law for “more than 100 years,” but claimed it was relaxed under Joe Biden’s leadership.

Overweight foreigners to be BANNED from US as Trump launches new immigration visa crackdown
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In a statement sent out with Wednesday’s announcement, State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott said they are taking renewed efforts against anyone who could “exploit the generosity of the American people.”
“Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” he said.
Countries affected by visa crackdown
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Bhutan
- Bosnia
- Brazil
- Burma
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Colombia
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dominica
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Republic of the Congo
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen


