What justification did the State Department cite for suspending immigrant visa processing for 75 countries in January 2026?

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The State Department cited concerns about applicants being likely to become "public charges"—people primarily dependent on government financial assistance. Under INA § 212(a)(4), foreign nationals are inadmissible if "likely at any time to become a public charge." The department claimed it needed to reassess procedures for determining public charge risk. This justification differs from previous visa suspensions based on national security (like the 2017 travel ban) or diplomatic disputes, instead focusing on economic dependency and welfare usage—a criterion that gives officials wide discretion in evaluating age, health, finances, and education.

What justification did the State Department cite for suspending immigrant visa processing for 75 countries in January 2026?

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