Trump Freezes Immigrant Visas for 75 Nations Citing Welfare Abuse
The Trump administration has officially frozen immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, citing what officials call “unacceptable rates” of welfare use among new arrivals. The State Department announced the move Wednesday, saying it was necessary to protect American taxpayers and preserve national resources.
“The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people,” the department said in a statement.
The affected countries include Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea, among others. Officials say immigrants from these nations often become public charges shortly after entering the country, collecting benefits funded by hardworking American citizens.
According to the policy, the freeze only applies to immigrant visas, which are for individuals seeking permanent residency. Non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourists or temporary workers, are not affected. The pause is scheduled to take effect on January 21.
This is the latest step in President Trump’s second-term efforts to restore accountability in the immigration system. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been aggressive in his pursuit of immigration reforms, previously revoking visas of individuals linked to crime, extremism, or government fraud.
The visa freeze also follows explosive reports of massive welfare fraud in Minnesota, particularly within the Somali community. Federal prosecutors believe that billions of taxpayer dollars have been siphoned from social programs in that state alone. Trump allies have pointed to this as a warning of what happens when immigration and welfare oversight collapse.
Last month, President Trump signed an order expanding restrictions to over 20 additional countries, bringing the total list of restricted nations to nearly 40. These travel restrictions, combined with the new visa freeze, represent the most comprehensive immigration enforcement campaign in modern history.
Trump’s supporters say the move is long overdue. They argue that the United States has every right to decide who is allowed to enter the country, and that protecting taxpayers is a matter of basic fairness. The administration says the freeze will stay in place until stronger vetting and guarantees of self-sufficiency are established.
For many Americans concerned about border security, welfare abuse, and national sovereignty, the visa freeze signals that the Trump administration is once again putting citizens first.