United States Freezes Immigration Visas for 75 Countries

Published on January 15, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Flag of the United States waving in front of a government building, with a canceled visa stamp superimposed in the foreground.

United States Freezes Immigration Visas for 75 Countries

The U.S. Department of State announced a measure that immediately halts the processing of immigration visas for citizens of seventy-five nations. This decision freezes thousands of applications already in process and stops accepting new petitions, directly impacting family reunification plans and life projects. 🛂

Scope of the Administrative Suspension

The order affects key visa categories, including family reunification, work, and the diversity program. However, according to official sources, it does not include non-immigrant visas, such as tourist or business visas. Embassies and consulates in the affected countries have been instructed not to process or issue documents until further notice, without specifying a defined timeframe for this interruption.

Details of the Halt:
  • The measure freezes applications at any stage of processing.
  • No deadline will be set to resume the process.
  • It affects a broad and diverse list of nationalities.
The current system requires a thorough audit to ensure its integrity and align with current priorities.

Motivation and Reactions to the Decision

The government justifies this pause due to the need to review and update national security protocols and criteria for evaluating applications. The stated objective is to implement more robust safeguards. Some analysts link the measure to internal debates on migration control.

Immediate Consequences:
  • Thousands of people see their family or work plans suspended indefinitely.
  • Critics argue that unnecessary barriers are created and those who have been waiting for years are harmed.
  • Administrative uncertainty leaves ongoing processes in limbo.

A Panorama of Forced Waiting

Bureaucracy demonstrates its ability to generate administrative suspense. Thousands of personal stories are put on hold, filed under the label of under review without a clear horizon. This decision redefines timelines for those seeking to start a new life in the United States, placing their projects in a state of forced waiting. ⏳