The US State Department has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Bangladesh, as part of a sweeping move to restrict applicants deemed likely to become a “public charge.”
The directive, which is set to take effect on 21 January, was detailed in a State Department memo that instructs consular officers to refuse visas under existing statutes while the department conducts a comprehensive reassessment of its screening and vetting procedures.
The suspension aims to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who might rely on US welfare or public benefit programmes, reports Fox News.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott stated that the department intends to use its long-standing authority to identify potential immigrants who could “exploit the generosity of the American people.”
Under the revised guidance, consular officials will evaluate a wide range of factors to determine if an applicant is likely to become a public charge.
These factors include health, age, financial status, English language proficiency, and the potential need for long-term medical care. Applicants who are older, overweight, or have a history of using government cash assistance may face visa denials.
While the “public charge” provision has existed for decades, its enforcement has fluctuated. The Biden administration had narrowed the rule’s scope in 2022, primarily focusing on cash assistance and institutionalisation while excluding programmes like housing vouchers and Medicaid.
However, the current measures reflect a return to a broader definition similar to the expansion introduced in 2019, which sought to include a wider array of public benefits.
The State Department noted that exceptions to this pause will be “very limited” and only granted after an applicant has cleared rigorous public charge considerations.
The list of 75 affected nations spans several continents and includes Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Nigeria, Brazil, Egypt, and Thailand, among others.
Federal officials have reportedly increased scrutiny following a significant fraud scandal in Minnesota involving the abuse of taxpayer-funded benefits, which has influenced the department’s current stance on immigration processing.
The pause will remain in place indefinitely until the State Department completes its review of immigration procedures.
