D.C. District Court Addresses State Department Immigrant Visa Pause Affecting 75 Countries

On Jan. 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced an indefinite halt on immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries while it reassesses vetting procedures tied to the public charge ground of inadmissibility – whether a green card applicant is likely to become dependent on long-term government benefits. The department instructed consular officers to refuse immigrant visas under INA Section 221(g) for covered nationalities, even when interviews proceed and no other grounds of ineligibility are found. More than six months after announcing the policy, the department has not introduced any new public charge vetting tools, policies, or operations for immigrant visa applicants.