The #US government will pause immigrant visa issuance for 75 countries, including #Iran, #Iraq, #Russia, #Afghanistan, #Brazil, #Egypt and #Nigeria, starting January 21, according to a US State Department memo cited by US broadcaster Fox News.
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According to the report, the memo “directs consular officers to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses screening and vetting procedures”.
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The Reuters news agency cited a State Department spokesperson as confirming the visa suspension plans, without elaborating.
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The move is among the most significant to date in the administration’s efforts to limit legal immigration to the US. It did not immediately release a full list of the affected countries, but identified Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea.
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It said it was targeting “countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates”, without providing evidence or further information.
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