US to suspend immigrant visa processing for Bangladesh along with 74 other countries from January 21

Dhaka: The Trump administration is suspending processing of immigrant visas for the citizens of Bangladesh and 74 other countries, said a US State Department spokesperson on Wednesday, January 14.

The pause, which will affect applicants from Bangladesh and 74 other nations, including Somalia, Iran, Russia, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Yemen, Thailand, and Brazil, will begin on January 21.

"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," said Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the State Department.

"Immigrant visa processing 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," he added.

Since his assumption of office last January, President Trump has implemented an aggressive immigration crackdown. Though he campaigned to stop illegal immigration, his administration has made legal immigration harder.

The State Department said on Monday, January 12, that it has revoked more than 100,000 visas under Trump's leadership. Furthermore, the administration has enforced a stricter policy on granting visas, with tightened social media screening and expanded vetting.

Earlier, in November of last year, Trump had vowed to "permanently pause" migration from all "Third World Countries" after a shooting near the White House. The attack, carried out by an Afghan national, resulted in the death of a National Guard member.

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