The United States has declared a temporary suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens from 75 countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, as part of a review of its visa screening protocols under the “public charge” regulations.
The U.S. State Department confirmed that the halt will begin on January 21 and continue indefinitely, allowing consular officials to reevaluate how applicants are assessed for potential reliance on American public welfare programs.
Among the nations impacted are Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Thailand, Yemen, and several others from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean.
The “public charge” rule empowers U.S. officials to reject immigrant visa applications based on criteria like the applicant’s age, health, financial stability, English language skills, family support, and risk of requiring long-term public aid.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott explained the rationale behind the decision, stating, “The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people.”
He added to Fox News, “Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”
This intensified review stems from a significant fraud probe in Minnesota involving taxpayer-supported benefit schemes, where many involved were reportedly of Somali origin or Somali-American.
Experts emphasize that the pause applies solely to immigrant visas and does not impact non-immigrant categories such as student, tourist, or business visas. It also leaves trade and diplomatic ties unaffected.
For Ghana, this announcement arrives amid robust economic relations with the U.S. Washington recently renewed Ghana’s status under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for an additional three years, underscoring Ghana’s role as a key trade ally.
AGOA provides Ghanaian exporters with duty-free entry to the U.S. market for numerous goods, boosting exports, employment, and economic development.
Although the visa suspension may worry Ghanaians pursuing U.S. permanent residency, authorities describe it as a routine procedural adjustment rather than a targeted prohibition, with potential for resumption once updated vetting processes are implemented.
The complete roster of affected countries encompasses: Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and additional nations.
U.S. officials indicate that more directives will be provided to global embassies and consulates as the evaluation progresses.