US Pauses Green Card Processing for 75 Countries: India Not Included

In a major escalation of its immigration crackdown, the Trump administration has announced an indefinite pause on processing immigrant visas (green cards) for nationals of 75 countries, citing concerns that applicants from these nations are likely to become reliant on U.S. public assistance programs.

What the US Changed

The U.S. Department of State issued the directive on Wednesday, January 14, instructing consular officers worldwide to halt decisions on immigrant visa applications from the affected countries starting January 21, 2026. 

Though most of south Asian neighbourhood is on the list, including Pakistan, which was seen as getting close to the Trump administration, India was expectedly not on it. Almost all of the countries on the list send low-level immigrants for basic jobs, while Indian immigrants are largely white-collar and technology-related. The Indian diaspora is in any case one of the most educated and prosperous among immigrant groups settled in the US.

Which Visas Are Affected and Which Are Not

The policy targets permanent residency pathways—such as family-sponsored, employment-based, and diversity visas—while leaving non-immigrant visas (e.g., tourist, student, or temporary worker categories) largely unaffected, though some countries already face partial restrictions from earlier proclamations. A State Department spokesperson emphasized the move's focus on the "public charge" rule, stating:

"The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.”

The list of affected countries spans multiple regions and includes: 
Africa: Somalia, Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, and others like Cameroon, Gambia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda.

Middle East/Asia: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, Laos.

Latin America/Caribbean: Brazil, Colombia, Haiti, Cuba, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Uruguay.

Europe/Former Soviet: Russia, Ukraine (partial), Belarus, Moldova, Bosnia, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan.

Others: Countries like Burma, Libya, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and several Caribbean island nations.

Why the “Public Charge” Concern Matters

This action builds on earlier measures, including Presidential Proclamation 10998 (effective January 1, 2026), which already imposed full or partial visa suspensions on about 39 countries and Palestinian Authority documents primarily for security reasons. 

Why India Is Not on the List

The new pause significantly expands the scope, affecting family reunification cases, including spouses and children of U.S. citizens or permanent residents from these countries. Immigration analysts estimate the policy could block a substantial portion of legal permanent immigration, potentially impacting nearly half of recent legal immigrant inflows from abroad. Critics, including civil rights groups and some congressional Democrats, have called it overly broad and discriminatory, arguing it disrupts legitimate family ties and economic contributions while disproportionately affecting developing nations. 

The administration defends the policy as a necessary step to protect American taxpayers and prioritize self-sufficient immigrants. Officials indicated the pause would continue indefinitely pending a full reassessment of vetting procedures and public charge determinations. 

What Applicants Should Do Next

Affected applicants with pending cases may face delays or refusals, though exceptions could apply in limited humanitarian or national interest cases. Non-immigrant travel (tourism, business, study) remains open for most, subject to existing rules.

The Bigger Geopolitical Signal

This development marks one of the broadest restrictions on legal immigration in recent U.S. history and signals continued aggressive enforcement under the current administration.