The Trump administration has indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries, marking one of its most expansive efforts yet to restrict legal pathways to the United States.
The freeze, which takes effect on January 21, targets applicants officials deem likely to become a “public charge” – people who they believe may rely on government benefits for basic needs.
According to a Wednesday state department cable, the sweeping list cuts across every major region of the world, spanning countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and eastern Europe.
According to the cable, exceptions include dual nationals with a valid passport for a country not on the list or if the applicant is able to demonstrate their travel would service an “America First” national interest. If a visa has already been approved but the visa has not been printed the consular officer “must refuse the case”.
Here is the full list, which includes war-torn nations, US allies, and countries with long-standing migration ties to America:
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Afghanistan
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Albania
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Algeria
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Antigua and Barbuda
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Armenia
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Azerbaijan
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Bahamas
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Bangladesh
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Barbados
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Belarus
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Belize
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Bhutan
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Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Brazil
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Myanmar
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Cambodia
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Cameroon
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Cape Verde
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Colombia
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Côte d’Ivoire
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Cuba
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Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Dominica
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Egypt
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Eritrea
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Ethiopia
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Fiji
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The Gambia
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Georgia
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Ghana
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Grenada
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Guatemala
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Guinea
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Haiti
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Iran
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Iraq
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Jamaica
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Jordan
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Kazakhstan
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Kosovo
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Kuwait
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Kyrgyzstan
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Laos
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Lebanon
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Liberia
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Libya
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North Macedonia
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Moldova
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Mongolia
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Montenegro
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Morocco
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Nepal
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Nicaragua
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Nigeria
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Pakistan
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Republic of the Congo
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Russia
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Rwanda
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St Kitts and Nevis
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St Lucia
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St Vincent and the Grenadines
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Senegal
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Sierra Leone
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Somalia
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South Sudan
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Sudan
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Syria
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Tanzania
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Thailand
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Togo
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Tunisia
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Uganda
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Uruguay
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Uzbekistan
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Yemen