The Donald Trump administration is suspending all visa processing for immigrant applicants from 75 countries, a State Department spokesman said Wednesday. Reuters.
The spokesman did not provide details on the plan, which was first reported by Fox News, which cited a State Department memo.
The "pause" will begin on January 21, he said. Fox News.
Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand are among the countries affected, according to the report.
The document instructs US embassies to deny visas under existing law while the department reevaluates its procedures.
No deadline was given.
The reported pause comes amid the broad immigration crackdown pursued by Republican US President Donald Trump since taking office last January.
In November, Trump had vowed to "permanently stop" immigration from all "Third World Countries" after a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national who killed a National Guard member.
As further reported, the latest measure does not affect tourist or business visas, although the Trump administration has pledged to verify the social media background of all applicants. /Telegraph/
