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State Department Halts Immigrant Visas from 75 Nations
The U.S. State Department announced on January 14, 2026 that it will suspend immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries beginning January 21. The administration cites concerns about public benefit usage as the justification for this sweeping pause.
For Bay Area families with ties to these nations, this creates immediate problems. Cases that were weeks away from completion now face indefinite delays. If you are wondering what this policy change means for you and your loved ones, call our San Francisco immigration lawyers right away.
Can the Trump Administration Legally Freeze Immigration Visas?
The government is using a law called the public charge rule. Under Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the United States can deny visas to people who might need government assistance for basic needs like food or housing. Usually, immigration officers look at each person's case individually to decide if they might become a "public charge."
This new policy is different. Instead of checking each person one at a time, the government is pausing all immigrant visas from 75 entire countries. The State Department says it has data showing that people from these countries are more likely to use public benefits. However, this approach affects everyone from these countries equally, even people with family financial support.
Which Types of Immigrant Visa Cases Are Affected by the New Trump Visa Pause?
The pause affects all immigrant visas processed at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. This includes family-based cases where U.S. citizens or green card holders are sponsoring spouses, children, parents, or siblings. It also includes employment-based cases where companies have already gotten approval to hire workers permanently.
This suspension affects cases at every stage. Even if you already had your interview and the consular officer approved your case, you will not get your visa right now. According to reports, embassy staff have been told to hold visas that were approved but not yet printed. They are also holding visas that were printed but not yet given to applicants.
This creates real problems for families who thought they would be traveling to the United States soon. There is no information yet about how long the pause will last or what needs to happen before visas can be issued again.
Does This Apply If You Are Already in the United States?
No. This suspension only affects people applying for immigrant visas at embassies abroad. If you are already in the United States and can file for a green card through adjustment of status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, you are not affected by this pause. That process happens inside the United States and does not involve getting a visa from an embassy.
However, if you were planning to leave the United States to finish your immigrant visa process abroad, you should talk to an immigration attorney before traveling. Once you leave, you will be subject to this suspension with no clear timeline for when you can get your visa.
Are Tourist Visas Also Suspended Right Now?
No. This pause only applies to immigrant visas, which are for people who want to live permanently in the United States. Tourist visas are not affected. If you need to visit the United States for business or tourism, you can still apply for those visas normally.
Are There Any Exceptions to This Suspension?
If you have citizenship from two countries and only one is on the list of 75 affected nations, you can apply using your passport from the other country. This is the main exception the State Department has announced.
The government has also said that immigrant visas that were already issued before January 21, 2026, are still valid. If you already have your visa in hand, you can still use it to travel, though border officers make the final decision about who can enter the country.
Contact a San Francisco, CA Immigration Lawyer Today
This sudden immigrant visa suspension creates significant challenges for families. If your case is affected by this policy, a Bay Area immigration attorney with Hafey & Karim can review your situation and help look for pathways forward.
Our firm provides legal support in English and Bengali, with translators available in Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu to serve the diverse communities of the San Francisco Bay Area. Call Hafey & Karim at 214-506-0671 to schedule a consultation.
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