President Donald Trump has ordered a sweeping freeze on visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Russia and Iran, as tensions escalate over Tehran’s violent crackdown on protesters and the president openly threatens military action.
An internal State Department memo sent Wednesday instructed U.S. consular offices to halt visa approvals while the administration conducts a broad review of screening and vetting procedures.
The pause is expected to take effect Jan. 21 and will remain in place indefinitely, according to officials familiar with the directive.
The countries affected span multiple regions and include Afghanistan, Brazil, Iraq, Somalia, Iran, and Russia.
Administration officials said the move is aimed at tightening immigration controls and preventing individuals who could rely on public assistance from entering the country.
While the State Department has not confirmed a direct connection between the visa freeze and potential military action against Iran, the decision comes as Trump has sharply escalated his rhetoric toward the Iranian regime.
Protests across Iran have been met with a brutal security crackdown that human rights groups say has left more than 2,500 people dead.
Trump has warned that further executions of protesters would trigger a U.S. response, according to the Daily Mail.
“If they hang them, you’re going to see something,” the president said in a recent interview.
The visa freeze could also have international ripple effects, particularly with the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching.
Fans from at least 15 of the affected countries could face difficulties traveling to matches hosted in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Under the new guidance, consular officers are instructed to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to depend on public benefits after entering the U.S.
Officers are also told to consider factors such as age, health, employment prospects, and English proficiency when reviewing applications.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to block individuals who would become a public charge and exploit the generosity of the American people,” spokesperson Tommy Piggott said.
White House officials defended the move as part of Trump’s broader America First agenda.
Spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the president is prioritizing U.S. citizens over foreign nationals and ensuring immigration policies are not abused.
Limited exceptions will be allowed under the freeze, though officials stressed those approvals would be rare.
The decision comes amid political backlash over Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement, particularly following the fatal shooting of American citizen Renee Good during an ICE operation in Minneapolis.
Trump blamed the incident on policies enacted under former President Joe Biden, accusing him of allowing violent criminals to enter the country.
“The bottom line is we have hundreds of thousands of killers in our country,” Trump said. “ICE is trying to clean it up, and their job is being made very difficult.”
Meanwhile, Iran has ignored U.S. warnings and signaled it will accelerate trials and executions of detained protesters.
Iranian judicial officials have vowed swift punishment for those accused of violence, even as international pressure mounts.
U.S. military officials have reportedly evacuated personnel from several regional air bases as tensions rise, including movements connected to facilities in Qatar. The situation continues to escalate as the administration weighs its next steps.
