The Trump administration is suspending all visa processing for visitors from 75 countries starting January 21, Fox News reports, citing a memo from the US State Department.
Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand are among the affected countries, according to the report.
Representatives for the State Department do not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported memo, which Fox News says directs US embassies to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses its procedures. No time frame was provided.
The reported pause comes amid the sweeping immigration crackdown pursued by Republican US President Donald Trump since taking office last January.
In November, Trump had vowed to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries” following a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national that killed a National Guard member.
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From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
