Trump administration expands list of countries with freeze on visa processing over alleged welfare burden

Published January 14, 2026 1:48pm ET



The State Department is expanding the number of foreign countries with a freeze on immigrant visa processing to 75 nations in order to crack down on applicants seeking welfare.

The Trump administration says foreigners are taking welfare from American citizens at exceedingly high rates, thus placing undue pressure for those who need government-provided cash assistance and long-term institutional care.

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