The global reach of the new US visa suspension is evident, stretching from Kabul to Quito (metaphorically, as Ecuador is not on the list, but neighbors like Colombia are). The Trump administration has halted immigrant visa processing for 75 countries indefinitely, starting January 21. The policy targets those deemed likely to become public charges.
The suspension is enforced by stopping the printing of visas. Consular officers must refuse cases that remain unprinted by the deadline. This technicality is used to implement a broad policy change that affects thousands of applicants.
The list of countries includes nations in every major region of the world. It affects countries with ongoing conflicts as well as stable democracies. The policy does not distinguish between the reasons for migration, only the potential economic impact on the US.
Exceptions are available for dual nationals of unaffected countries and those serving a national interest. However, these are narrow paths that few will be able to tread.
The countries affected by this global suspension are: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
From Kabul to Quito: Global Reach of US Visa Suspension
