US freezes visas for 75 countries: Iran, Russia, Thailand among affected

The United States has decided to freeze visa processing indefinitely for citizens of 75 countries, including Iran, Russia, Somalia and Afghanistan, in what is being described as one of the Trump administration’s most far-reaching immigration enforcement measures, according to a Fox News Digital report.
The US State Department will suspend visa processing beginning January 21 while it reassesses screening and vetting procedures, a person familiar with the matter said. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity as the internal department memo has not been made public.
According to the memo, consular officers have been instructed to refuse visas under existing law as part of a broader effort to tighten enforcement of the “public charge” provision of US immigration law. The move is aimed at denying entry to applicants deemed likely to rely on public welfare benefits.
The list of affected countries includes Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand and Yemen, among others. While applicants from some of these countries already face significant hurdles in obtaining US visas, the decision is expected to come as a shock to nationals from others, including Brazil.
The pause will remain in effect indefinitely until the State Department completes its reassessment of visa processing procedures, the report said.