The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has suspended the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Russia, and Iran. A State Department spokesperson confirmed the number of affected countries to EFE without specifying which ones, although Fox News gained access to the list. Some of the Latin American and Caribbean countries included are Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Uruguay. Also on the list are Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Morocco, Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Thailand, and Yemen. According to Fox News, the pause will begin next January 21 and will remain in effect indefinitely while the State Department re-evaluates its verification procedures. Immigrant visas are those that allow for permanent residence in the United States, while non-immigrant visas, intended for temporary stays such as tourism, study, or temporary work, will not be affected by the suspension. Tommy Pigott, a State Department spokesperson, stated that the goal of this measure is to prevent the entry of foreigners into the United States who might rely on social assistance and public benefits. Last November, the Trump government ordered U.S. consulates worldwide to apply a guidance that instructs them to deny visas to applicants who are considered likely to depend on public assistance. In this way, consular officials can reject visas based on a wide range of factors, such as health, age, English proficiency, or financial situation.
