“America First” Doctrine: Visa Processing Halted for 75 Nations

The “America First” doctrine has manifested in a new immigration policy halting visa processing for 75 nations. The Trump administration has indefinitely suspended immigrant visas for these countries starting January 21. The move is designed to prioritize the economic well-being of the US by excluding potential public charges.
The directive requires consular officers to refuse cases where the visa has not been printed. This ensures that only those who have fully completed the process before the deadline can enter. It effectively draws a line in the sand for applicants from the listed nations.
The affected countries include both traditional allies and adversaries. The policy applies a uniform economic standard, disregarding other diplomatic considerations. It reinforces the administration’s focus on domestic economic protectionism.
Exceptions are limited to dual nationals of non-listed countries and those serving a national interest. For the vast majority, the “America First” policy means their own immigration goals are secondary.
The countries impacted are: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.