US Freeze on Visa Processing for 75 Countries

[JayFromTexas 74]

https://www.newsweek.com/us-visa-processing-frozen-countries-list-trump-administration-11359433

[appleblossom 5,662]

**Thread moved to US immigration news and discussion, where similar topics are discussed**

[Miller Family 340]

Does anyone have an idea of how this will affect the I-130 process?

State Department pauses visas for 75 countries over public charge | Fox News

 

 

[yuna628 9,957]

The list of countries as follows:

 

Quote

The full list of countries comprises of 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 and Yemen. 

 

The AP article describes it as 

 

Quote

The suspension, which will begin Jan. 21, will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, or temporary tourist or business visas. https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-visas-79909bd01e9e1e3dedde144f865a1b9d

That of course leaves questions... do K1s get a pass because they are non-immigrant visas with immigrant intent? And I guess spousal visas are dumped in the trash?

[sava.jake1987 2]

My wife is still in Brazil we filed in July 2024 , we are past the NVC processing and awaiting the interview appointment letter.

So I guess we are screwed?? This is horrible news. 

[milimelo 4,958]

1 hour ago, yuna628 said:

The list of countries as follows:

 

 

The AP article describes it as 

 

That of course leaves questions... do K1s get a pass because they are non-immigrant visas with immigrant intent? And I guess spousal visas are dumped in the trash?

Well K-1s were exempt from COVID shots but immigrant ones were not so perhaps K-1 will be exempt with this as well? But then they could hold them up at AOS... 

[Crazy Cat 46,073]

I'd like to see the official EO.  In the past there were exemptions for spouses of US citizens, but I am curious if the same exemptions apply now.

[speedster 63]

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-freezes-all-visa-processing-75-countries-including-somalia-russia-iran.amp

 

Victory for lots of people I'm sure. What's the play here because next thing you know USCIS will pull the same thing.

[sava.jake1987 2]

We did everything the right and legal way and we are being squeezed. But we need some more clarity from an official statement. It's irresponsible of the news to publish such undetailed blanket information, so those of us in waiting get frustrated.

[Coco8 1,067]

It's not for "all visa processing". According to state department, it doesn't not apply for non-immigrant visas like tourist or student visa.

[speedster 63]

9 minutes ago, Coco8 said:

It's not for "all visa processing". According to state department, it doesn't not apply for non-immigrant visas like tourist or student visa.

Ah right, why am I using foxnews as a reliable source.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2026/01/14/us-freezes-immigration-visas-for-75-countries/

"US Freezes Immigration Visas for 75 Countries" Is a much better and real headline unlike foxnews.

Edited 2 hours ago by speedster

[Crazy Cat 46,073]

****Topic Threads Merged****

[speedster 63]

42 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I'd like to see the official EO.  In the past there were exemptions for spouses of US citizens, but I am curious if the same exemptions apply now.

I mean if there is, it'll be interesting to see if they're gonna follow guidance put out on public charge. "The guidance instructs consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits, weighing a wide range of factors including health, age, English proficiency, finances and even potential need for long-term medical care." "Older or overweight applicants could be denied, along with those who had any past use of government cash assistance or institutionalization." No fat people allowed of course.

[TBoneTX 48,944]

1 hour ago, sava.jake1987 said:

It's irresponsible of the news to publish such undetailed blanket information

True; however, for many years and in many reports, we find that the reporters (and, by extension, their editors) lack the knowledge sufficient to inform us, an audience concerned with and immersed in details.  The media people don't know what they don't know.

 

Maybe USCIS, the Dept. of State, or both will produce statements that we can rely on.

[Miller Family 340]

2 hours ago, sava.jake1987 said:

My wife is still in Brazil we filed in July 2024 , we are past the NVC processing and awaiting the interview appointment letter.

So I guess we are screwed?? This is horrible news. 

Ideally they will place priority on family based applications. 

It looks like there will be a lot of prayer and hope in our immediate futures.