WORLD
The US State Department has announced the suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Pakistan.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed the decision on Wednesday, stating that immigrants were benefiting from US taxpayers’ money.
Immigrant visa processing has been suspended for Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, and Iran.
According to US media reports, other affected countries include Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Nepal, Congo, Rwanda, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, and Uzbekistan.
A State Department memo has instructed US embassies to reject visa applications until a review of procedures is completed.
The move is reportedly part of a broader immigration crackdown being pursued by President Donald Trump since reassuming office.
Earlier, in November, Trump had announced plans to permanently halt immigration from third-world countries, following a shooting incident involving an Afghan national in which a member of the National Guard was killed. – ERMD
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