US Halts Immigrant Visas for 75 Nations Including Nigeria

The United States State Department has launched a sweeping visa crackdown, halting immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, including Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Thailand, and Yemen. This indefinite pause, effective from January 21, 2026, stems from an internal memo directing consular officers to deny applications under the public charge rule, which bars entry to those likely to rely on US public benefits. The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration enforcement following his 2024 reelection and January 2025 inauguration. ​

Policy Background

The public charge provision, embedded in the Immigration and Nationality Act for decades, gained sharper teeth during Trump’s first term with expanded criteria covering more welfare programs, though courts later curbed parts of it before the Biden era rescinded them. Now revived, the policy mandates stricter vetting to prevent burdening American taxpayers, with officers assessing factors like income, health, and skills. A State Department spokesperson emphasized reevaluating protocols to block “foreign nationals who might utilize welfare.” This follows the revocation of over 100,000 visas in Trump’s early second term. ​

Nigerian and Global Impact

For Nigeria, a major source of US immigrant visa applicants, the suspension disrupts family reunifications, employment-based green cards, and diversity lottery winners, potentially stranding thousands in limbo. Nigerian outlet PunchNG published a full list grouping affected nations by continent, confirming Nigeria alongside Ghana and others. Non-immigrant visas for students, tourists, and temporary workers remain unaffected, sparing events like the 2026 World Cup. Immigrant communities in the US brace for delays as processing resumes only after an unspecified reassessment. ​

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Broader Context

This action escalates Trump’s immigration agenda, echoing prior travel bans on several listed nations like Iran, Syria, and Yemen. Reports from Fox News, CNN, and Reuters confirm the memo’s authenticity, with a spokesperson verifying the pause but withholding timelines or the complete roster. African and Latin American countries dominate the list, signaling targeted scrutiny on high-migration origins. Applicants should monitor State Department updates for resumption signals. ​