The US State Department is suspending all visa processing for 75 countries in an effort to prevent applicants believed to be public charges from entering the United States, according to a report.
The State Department report directs consular officials to temporarily deny visas under existing law while the department reviews screening and vetting procedures, Fox News Digital reported, citing the report. The hiatus, which is scheduled to begin on January 21, will continue indefinitely until the review is completed, the report said.
According to the report, the list of affected countries includes, among others, Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Yemen.
Public charge concerns
“The State Department will use its longstanding authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public indictment of the United States and take advantage of the generosity of the American people,” State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott said in a statement.
“Immigration from these 75 countries will be suspended while the State Department reviews immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” he added.
Increased control of Somalia
Somalia has drawn particular attention after a wide-ranging fraud scandal in Minnesota, where prosecutors uncovered widespread abuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programs. Many involved in the case were citizens of Somalia or Somali-Americans.
