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IMMIGRATION FEBRUARY 06, 2026 | The Indian Eye 40

DOS Announces Temporary Pause

on Certain Visas for Nationals of 75

Countries Based on Unfounded Concerns

That They Will Seek Public Benefits

CYRUS MEHTA how immigrant visa appli- mind” that the adminis-
cants are evaluated under tration would ban immi-
n January 14, 2026, the “public charge” rules. grant visas for nearly half
the Department In announcing this re- the world based on “mere
Oof State (DOS) view, the government has speculation” that those
announced a temporary indicated it wants stricter immigrants would come to
pause on the issuance of standards to prevent new rely on public benefits.
immigrant visas (green immigrants from receiving
cards from overseas) for any public support. “Most new immigrants
nationals of 75 countries, This policy applies
effective January 21, 2026. only to immigrant visas are not even eligible for
DOS said this pause is for (green card processing benefits, and their ad-
the government to review through a U.S. embassy or consulate) for applicants zakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, mission as immigrants
who are: Kyrgyz Republic, Laos,
Nationals of one Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, is conditioned by legal-
of the 75 countries Moldova, Mongolia, Mon- ly binding affidavits of
identified by DOS, tenegro, Morocco, Nepal, support from their spon-
and Nicaragua, Nigeria, North
Applying for an Macedonia, Pakistan, sors who have met the
immigrant visa abroad Republic of the Congo, income requirements,”
(not adjustment of Russia, Rwanda, Saint Mehta said.
status in the United Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lu-
States). cia, Saint Vincent and the It is also hard to imag-
The affected coun- Grenadines, Senegal, Sier- ine that immigrants from
tries include Afghani- ra Leone, Somalia, South Kuwait, Kazakhstan or
stan, Albania, Algeria, Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tan- Uruguay will be lining up
Antigua and Barbuda, zania, Thailand, Togo, Tu- for benefits when they im-
Armenia, Azerbaijan, nisia, Uganda, Uruguay, migrate to the US. Those
Bahamas, Bangla- Uzbekistan, and Yemen. immigrating through a rel-
desh, Barbados, Be- Applicants from these ative who is a US citizen or
larus, Belize, Bhutan, countries may attend their permanent resident must
Bosnia and Herze- visa interviews, but their also be sponsored through
govina, Brazil, Burma, immigrant visas will not be an affidavit of support
m of Cambodia, Camer- issued for the time being, where the sponsor must
CYRUS D. MEHTA & PARTNERS PLLC oon, Cape Verde, Co- unless a limited exception be able to demonstrate an
lombia, Côte d’Ivoire, applies. A dual national
Cuba, Democratic applying with a valid pass- income that is 125% over

the poverty line based on
Republic of the Con- port of a country that is

go, Dominica, Egypt, not listed above is exempt the size of the family being