Camilla Jessen
Details released this week point to a sharp tightening of who is allowed to enter the United States.
The US State Department has canceled more than 100,000 visas since Trump resumed the presidency, according to the department.
Those revocations include roughly 8,000 student visas and about 2,500 specialized visas tied to individuals who had encounters with US law enforcement.
Trump campaigned in 2024 on a promise to “launch the largest deportation program in American history.” He said at the time: “I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered, and we will put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then kick them the hell out of our country as fast as possible.”
Visa freeze announced
Beyond revocations, the administration has now ordered an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.
The restriction is set to take effect on January 21.
In a statement posted on X, the State Department said the goal was to put “an end to the abuse” of the immigration system “by those who would extract wealth from the American people” through welfare and benefits.
The full list of affected countries has not been released, though officials said it includes Somalia, Haiti, Iran and Eritrea.
Official justification
“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,” said Tommy Pigott, the department’s principal deputy spokesperson, according to the BBC.
In a post on X, the department added that the pause would remain until the US could ensure new immigrants would not “extract wealth from the American people.”
Limits and reactions
According to the Associated Press, the suspension does not apply to non-immigrant tourist or business visas.
The move follows a series of recent restrictions. NBC News reported last month that the administration suspended immigration applications from 19 countries already facing US travel limits.
Earlier, asylum applications from Afghan nationals were halted after an Afghan immigrant was charged in the November shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, DC.
Sources: BBC, Associated Press, NBC News, US Department of State
