Washington: In a major escalation of its immigration crackdown, the United States has imposed visa restrictions on citizens from 75 countries, citing widespread abuse of its immigration system. The decision, announced by the US State Department on Wednesday, directs American embassies worldwide to stop processing and reject visa applications from nationals of the listed countries.
The move affects both immigrant and non-immigrant visas and includes countries such as Russia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and several nations across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The restrictions come as part of the Donald Trump administration’s broader push to tighten border controls and overhaul immigration policies.
Explaining the rationale, the State Department said the administration is determined to prevent what it describes as the exploitation of the US immigration framework by individuals who allegedly misuse it for economic gain. “The Trump administration is ending the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who seek to exploit it,” the department said in a statement.
Countries newly added to the list include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka’s neighbours, several Caribbean nations, and multiple African and Middle Eastern states. The expanded curbs significantly widen existing restrictions that were already in place for several regions.
The decision is expected to have far-reaching consequences, impacting travel, education, employment opportunities, and family reunification for thousands of prospective applicants, while also sparking fresh debate over the future direction of US immigration policy.
