Suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries without proper justification
January 14, 2026
Multiple Guardrails
Founders' Principles Violated
Guardrails Violated
Why Level 3?
Multiple guardrails bypassed: due process, constitutional rights, separation of powers. Policy based on flawed assumptions contradicted by research. Disproportionate impact on certain countries raises equal protection concerns.
What Happened
Context
State Department announced on January 14, 2026 that it would suspend immigrant visa processing for citizens from 75 countries starting January 21, 2026, citing concerns that applicants from those countries would become 'public charges' and dependent on government assistance.
Action Taken
State Department suspended immigrant visa processing for citizens from 75 countries starting January 21, 2026, citing concerns about 'public charge' status. Non-immigrant visas (tourists, students, business travelers) continued to be processed but with stricter screening requirements. Critics argued the suspension disproportionately affected Muslim-majority and majority-minority countries. A Cato Institute study from February 2025 showed immigrants per capita do not receive more government assistance than native-born Americans, contradicting the administration's justification.
In His Own Words
"We need to protect American taxpayers from supporting immigrants who will become public charges."
"Immigrants from certain countries are more likely to require government assistance."
"We must ensure immigrants are self-sufficient."
What's Wrong
Visa suspension implemented without proper regulatory process or public comment period. Policy based on flawed assumptions contradicted by research data. Disproportionate impact on certain countries raises equal protection concerns. Bypassed normal immigration policy review processes.
Impact
Constitutional: Potential violation of equal protection through disproportionate impact on certain countries. Legal: Multiple lawsuits filed challenging the suspension. Operational: Thousands of visa applicants affected, creating uncertainty and delays. Economic: Impact on families, businesses, and immigration system.