By chatnewstv.com
WASHINGTON — The State Department announced Wednesday an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 nations, including Nigeria, citing concerns that migrants from these countries rely on U.S. public assistance at “unacceptable rates.”
The freeze, set to take effect Jan. 21, 2026, marks one of the most significant expansions of the Trump administration’s “America First” immigration policy. Federal officials stated the pause will remain active until the government can ensure that new immigrants will not “extract wealth from the American people.”
“We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused,” the State Department said in a statement. “The Trump Administration will always put America First.”
Broad Global Impact
The policy targets a diverse array of nations across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. The administration’s “public charge” justification allows consular officers to deny visas to individuals deemed likely to depend on government benefits such as Medicaid or food stamps.
The complete list of affected countries includes:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
Implications for Nigeria
Nigeria’s inclusion is particularly notable given its status as a major source of skilled migration to the U.S. While the suspension specifically targets immigrant visas (permanent residency), it coincides with a new financial requirement for temporary visitors.
Starting Jan. 21, Nigerian citizens approved for B1/B2 tourist or business visas will be required to post a visa bond of up to $15,000. The bond serves as a financial guarantee that the traveler will return to Nigeria before their visa expires.
“This is a shock for people coming from nations like Nigeria and Brazil that have historically strong ties to the U.S. economy,” said a spokesperson for the American Immigration Lawyers Association. “It places an enormous burden on families seeking reunification.”
Legal and Diplomatic Landscape
The move follows a series of executive actions in late 2025 that restricted entry from 39 countries on national security grounds. This latest action shifts the focus toward economic self-sufficiency.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott clarified that the new criteria to evaluate applicants will include factors such as age, health, English proficiency, and financial resources. The freeze does not apply to those who already hold valid immigrant visas issued before the Jan. 21 deadline.
