The United States has announced the suspension of processing for all types of entry visas in 75 countries around the world. This move reflects the current administration’s hardline approach toward immigration and national security, a sudden decision described by observers as a “diplomatic shock.” The decision includes major nations and others experiencing political unrest, led by Russia, Iran, and Somalia, in addition to a long list of countries that Washington considers “uncooperative” regarding deportation files or those posing a perceived security threat. This decision means halting the issuance of tourist, student, and even business visas for citizens of these countries until further notice.
According to reports, this freeze serves as a political and security pressure tool for several reasons. Washington is targeting countries that refuse to accept their citizens deported from the United States. The administration also believes that identification systems in some of these countries are insufficient to ensure the safety of the American interior. In certain cases, the decision comes in response to restrictions imposed by those countries on American diplomats or nationals.
This decision is expected to spark a wave of international criticism, especially as it disrupts the interests of thousands of students, researchers, and investors. It also places diplomatic relations with the concerned countries in a new predicament, with some analysts describing it as a “digital iron curtain” imposed on the movement of individuals.
The list of countries includes: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Ivory Coast, 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, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Congo Brazzaville, 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, and Yemen.
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