The report notes the article was updated as new details became available.

Immigration policy observers warn the measure could reduce legal immigration and alter visa dynamics.

The State Department is expected to publish guidance and further details as the policy parameters are clarified.

The story sits within a broader political context, linking immigration policy to other federal actions affecting funding and regulation.

Coverage from outlets like Zeit, Reuters, and Fox News notes the memo and State Department statements driving the policy.

The piece highlights human and societal impacts, including disruptions to education, potential family separations, and concern about targeting certain national or religious groups.

The US State Department is suspending immigrant visa processing for residents of 75 countries starting January 21, 2026, as part of a broader effort to curb potential dependence on public benefits.

Countries affected include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, and Yemen, among others; the full list has not been published by Fox News.

The policy expands public-charge enforcement and builds on past revisions and legal challenges under both Biden and Trump administrations.

The move continues a broader pattern of tightening migration controls seen in prior administrations, including restrictions on nationals from several states and heightened screening after security incidents.

It references earlier versions of the public charge rule and ongoing legal challenges and reversals as the policy evolves.

Proclamation 10998 builds on an earlier proclamation and emphasizes border screening, identity verification, and information sharing with U.S. authorities.