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

Critics argue that the justification offered by the administration paints entire populations with a broad brush, ignoring evidence that many immigrants from the listed countries contribute economically and rely less on public assistance than native-born citizens. Immigration advocates warn the freeze will disrupt family reunification, derail long-running legal immigration cases, and leave thousands of applicants in limbo with no clear timeline for resolution.

The announcement has also raised practical and diplomatic questions, particularly with major global events approaching. Trump has repeatedly celebrated the United States’ role as a host nation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host alongside Canada and Mexico beginning June 11. Several countries whose national teams are expected to compete—such as Brazil, Colombia, Iran, Ivory Coast, and Uruguay—appear on the suspended list.

While administration officials insist the policy targets immigrant visas rather than short-term travel, uncertainty remains over whether exemptions will be granted for athletes, staff, media, and traveling fans. For now, the suspension is described as a “pause,” but no end date has been provided, and no formal guidance has been issued on special circumstances tied to international sporting events or cultural exchanges.

As legal challenges loom and international reaction intensifies, the visa freeze has become emblematic of a broader shift toward restrictive immigration policies under Trump’s renewed presidency. With investigations ongoing, protests continuing in several U.S. cities, and diplomatic partners seeking clarification, the policy has left both supporters and critics bracing for its long-term consequences.