US Halts Immigrant Visas for Pakistan, 74 Other Nations

News Desk 

Washington: The United States will suspend processing of immigrant visas for applicants from Pakistan and 74 other countries beginning January 21, a State Department spokesperson said Wednesday, as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies its immigration crackdown.

The pause will affect applicants from South Asia—including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan—as well as several Latin American countries such as Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay. Balkan nations including Bosnia and Albania are also covered, along with many countries across Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.

In a statement posted on social media, the State Department said it “will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.” The freeze will remain in place, the statement added, “until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.”

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/dhaka-orders-indian-missions-to-halt-visa-operations/

The suspension applies only to immigrant visas for foreigners seeking permanent residence in the United States. It does not affect non-immigrant visas for temporary workers, students, tourists, or special categories such as visas related to the FIFA World Cup.

The move follows a series of tougher immigration measures since Trump returned to office. The State Department said last week it has revoked more than 100,000 visas, while the Department of Homeland Security reported last month that more than 605,000 people have been deported. An additional 2.5 million migrants are reported to have left the country voluntarily.

The visa pause also comes after Trump expanded travel bans to 39 countries in December, suspended asylum processing, and halted citizenship and green card applications for nationals of countries already under restrictions.

Administration claims linking immigration to welfare use have been disputed by researchers. In February 2025, the libertarian Cato Institute published a study finding that native-born Americans consumed more welfare and entitlement benefits per capita than immigrants. According to the study, immigrants used 21% fewer welfare and entitlement benefits than native-born Americans on a per capita basis in 2022.

Migration policy experts have warned that the suspension could have far-reaching economic and humanitarian consequences beyond those directly affected by visa denials, including impacts on family reunification and labor markets.

During his first term, Trump expressed support for legal immigration, saying in a State of the Union address that immigrants “enrich our nation and strengthen our society in countless ways,” while emphasizing that they should enter the country legally.