(AURN News) — Starting Jan. 21, thousands of people who followed the rules, paid fees and completed interviews could still walk away with nothing in their passports, as the U.S. State Department pauses the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries at U.S. consulates worldwide.
The pause applies to visas used for permanent residence, including family-sponsored and employment-based cases. Applications may still be submitted and interviews will continue, but visas will not be issued during the pause, including for cases that have already been approved.
The list is dominated by Black and brown nations, including Haiti, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Jamaica, Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras, among others.
Many of the affected countries have historically faced stricter U.S. immigration barriers tied to race, poverty and economic class. The administration says the action is connected to a comprehensive review.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
