The United States has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for Nigeria and 74 other countries, marking a significant escalation of President Donald Trump’s immigration restrictions since returning to office.
The State Department said the decision applies specifically to immigrant visas and is based on a reassessment of immigration procedures aimed at preventing what the administration described as abuse of the welfare system.
Processing will remain on hold while reviews are carried out on a country-by-country basis.
A State Department spokesperson said the move was intended to protect public resources and ensure that migrants admitted into the United States do not become dependent on government benefits.
Officials stressed that the action was taken under existing legal authority but applied broadly by nationality.
White House officials confirmed that the affected countries span Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Nigeria is among several African nations impacted, alongside countries such as Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, Somalia, and South Sudan.
Others include Brazil, Russia, Iran, and Thailand. The US government has yet to formally publish a consolidated list, though multiple officials have confirmed its scope.
The suspension does not apply to non-immigrant visas, including tourist, business, student, or sports-related travel.
Soccer fans planning to attend this year’s World Cup in the United States are not affected, although authorities said all applicants will continue to undergo enhanced background and social media screening.
The policy aligned with President Trump’s long-standing stance on immigration, particularly his push to sharply reduce arrivals from non-European countries.
Since his return to office, the administration has reported record numbers of visa revocations, deportations, and voluntary departures.
U.S. officials disclosed that more than 100,000 visas have been cancelled in the past year alone, while over 600,000 people have been deported and millions more have left the country voluntarily under stricter enforcement measures.
The announcement has sparked concern among affected countries, especially those with large migrant populations seeking permanent residence in the United States, as uncertainty grows over when, or if immigrant visa processing will resume.
