The Trump administration has sparked global controversy after announcing a sweeping ban on citizens from 75 countries from entering the United States.
The move comes amid a “reassessment” of immigrant visa processing, the State Department says, and affects travelers from Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Somalia, and dozens more.
Donald Trump’s second term has gotten off to a turbulent start — and the controversies keep piling up.
Beyond his calls to take Greenland “the hard way,” and his push for military action against Venezuela, including the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, the president has also sparked outrage over immigration policy and the deadly ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota.
Now comes the next major flashpoint: a sweeping ban on citizens from 75 countries, which the administration says is part of a “reassessment” of immigrant visa processing. This was first reported by Fox News.
According to a State Department memo, consular officers have been instructed to refuse visas under existing laws while screening procedures are overhauled.
The freeze is set to begin Wednesday, January 21, and will remain in place “until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people,” a Homeland Security spokesperson explained on X.
“The pause impacts dozens of countries – including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea – whose immigrants often become public charges on the United States upon arrival. We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused. The Trump Administration will always put America First,” the spokesperson said.
Full list of countries banned
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Bhutan
- Bosnia
- Brazil
- Burma
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Colombia
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dominica
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Pakistan
- Republic of the Congo
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
The World Cup in danger?
Donald Trump has been very proud and vocal about the U.S. hosting the upcoming FIFA World Cup, celebrating America’s role in welcoming fans and teams from around the globe.
While the ban is intended to target immigrants who the administration believes might rely on public benefits, the decision has immediate consequences for global events. The U.S., Canada, and Mexico are set to co-host the tournament, which kicks off June 11. But with countries like Brazil, Colombia, Iran, Ivory Coast, and Uruguay on the banned list, questions are already being raised:
Will players from these nations be allowed to enter the U.S. for games? And what about traveling fans?
For now, the ban is a “pause”, and it’s unclear how long it will last or whether exemptions will be made for sporting events or other special circumstances.
