US to suspend visa processing for 75 nations

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration is suspending all visa processing for ​visitors from 75 countries starting January 21, Fox News reported on Wednesday, citing a memo from the US State Department.

Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, ‌Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand ‌are ‌among ⁠the ​affected ‌countries, according to the report.

Representatives for the State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported ⁠memo, which Fox News said directs ‌US embassies to ‍refuse ‍visas under existing law while ‍the department reassesses its procedures. No time frame was provided.

The reported pause comes amid ​the sweeping immigration crackdown pursued by Republican US ⁠President Donald Trump since taking office last January.

In November, Trump had vowed to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries” following a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national that killed ‌a National Guard member.

BY: The Times Union