The US State Department has announced that starting January 21 it will temporarily suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Cambodia, Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia, as part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to tighten immigration rules and reduce the risk of new arrivals relying on public assistance. The decision, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, follows guidance issued in November that ordered US embassies and consulates to more strictly evaluate whether people seeking permanent residence might become what the government calls a public charge, meaning someone likely to depend on government welfare or benefits. The move builds on earlier travel and immigration restrictions that already covered nearly 40 countries and signals a tougher stance on who is allowed to settle in the United States, even as the administration insists it is focused on protecting taxpayers and the integrity of the immigration system.
Why the Trump Administration Says the Change Is Necessary
The State Department framed the suspension as part of a broader campaign to prevent what it sees as abuse of US public benefit programs. In its official statement, the department said, “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,” adding that “Immigrant visa processing 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.” This language makes clear that the pause is not just about paperwork but about reassessing how applicants are screened, especially those viewed as being at higher risk of needing government support after arriving in the US.
What Happens to Tourists and Business Travelers
While immigrant visa processing is being halted, people applying for non immigrant visas such as tourist, student or business travel will not be affected by this suspension. In fact, demand for these temporary visas is expected to rise sharply because the United States will host or co host major global events like the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games. Even so, US embassies and consulates have been told to apply stricter screening to these visitors as well, particularly when it comes to whether they might try to access public benefits during their stay.
New Screening Rules for Non Immigrant Visas
A separate diplomatic cable sent to all US embassies and consulates makes it clear that the Trump administration wants to go further in checking the backgrounds of people who only plan to visit the US temporarily. The cable states that “With the uncovering of massive public benefits fraud across the United States, the Trump administration is laser focused on eliminating and preventing fraud in public benefits programs.” It instructs consular officers to make sure that travelers “have been fully vetted and screened” to determine whether they could rely on public services. Applicants now carry the burden of proving they will not apply for government assistance, and if there is any doubt, officials can require additional financial documents to confirm their ability to support themselves.
How Visa Applicants Will Be Evaluated
Under the expanded guidelines, US officials must look closely at a wide range of personal details before approving a visa. This includes an applicant’s age, health, family situation, financial resources, education, job skills and even any past use of public assistance, no matter which country they come from. Immigrants already go through medical exams, disease screenings and vaccination checks, and must disclose information about substance use, mental health and any history of violence. The new rules add another layer by also allowing officers to assess English language ability, including conducting interviews in English, as part of deciding whether someone is likely to become a public charge after entering the US.
Countries Affected by the Suspension
The list of countries facing the immigrant visa processing pause is long and diverse, covering parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Eastern Europe. It includes Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam is not on the list, but many neighboring and regional countries are, along with Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria, Pakistan, Brazil, Haiti and dozens of others. For citizens of these nations who were hoping to immigrate to the United States, the announcement creates new uncertainty about when or if their applications will move forward under the stricter rules.
Conclusion
This sweeping pause in immigrant visa processing marks another major shift in US immigration policy under the Trump administration, with a strong focus on preventing new arrivals from relying on public assistance. While the government argues that the move protects taxpayers and reduces fraud, it also places heavier burdens on people from 75 countries, including Cambodia, who are seeking new lives in the United States. As consular officers begin applying these tighter screening rules, many families, students and workers will be watching closely to see how long the suspension lasts and how deeply it reshapes the future of legal immigration to America.