01/15/2026
🚨 BREAKING NEWS: U.S. State Department Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries 🚨
Today, January 14, 2026, the U.S. State Department announced it will indefinitely pause immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. This action is based on "public charge" provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
📋 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
✅ WHO IS AFFECTED:
• People applying for immigrant visas (green cards)
• Family-based and employment-based visa applicants
• Pending cases at U.S. consulates abroad
❌ WHO IS NOT AFFECTED:
• Tourist, student, and business visa applicants
• People who already hold valid U.S. visas as of January 21
• Non-immigrant visa categories
🌍 AFFECTED COUNTRIES (75 total) include:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and more.
⚠️ PUBLIC CHARGE CONSIDERATIONS now include:
• Health conditions and potential long-term medical needs
• English language proficiency
• Financial resources and employment
• Past use of government assistance programs
📞 IF YOU ARE AFFECTED:
If you or your family members are from one of the affected countries and have a pending immigrant visa case, please contact our office immediately to discuss your options and next steps.
We are closely monitoring this situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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Leiva Law Firm
📞 (415) 541-9290
📧 [email protected]
🌐 Your Immigration Story, Our Passion.