Trump Administration pauses immigrant visa (green card) approvals at consular posts for 75 countries

On January 14, 2026, the State Department sent a cable directing all consular posts to pause immigrant visa (green card) approvals for nationals from 75 countries on “public charge” grounds. The State Department stated that they are “undergoing a full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge.”  

Under this directive, consular posts are still booking and holding interviews for immigrant visas, but they will issue a denial to the applicant under INA § 221(g), which operates as a temporary denial when the consular post needs additional time to review the case. 

See the State Department’s press release on the pause for a full list of the affected countries here.