The United States on Wednesday said it was suspending the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries, in what was described as US President Trump administration’s latest move to curb influx of foreigners into America.
According to a State Department memo, consular officers have been directed to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses screening and vetting procedures.
“The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries,” a State Department spokesperson said.
Some of the countries affected by the development includes Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Yemen.
The pause will begin January 21 and will continue indefinitely until the department conducts a reassessment of visa processing.
Trump has consistently argued the need to reduce immigration of people who are not of European descent, and has described Somalis who are among his targets as “garbage” who should “go back to where they came from”.
Meanwhile, the State Department said Monday that it has revoked more than 100,000 visas since Trump’s return, a one-year record.
The Department of Homeland Security last month said that the Trump administration has deported more than 605,000 people, and that 2.5 million others left on their own.
The latest move does not affect tourist or business visas, although the Trump administration has vowed to vet all applicants’ social media histories.
