All US visa processing suspended for 75 countries including Bangladesh

The Trump administration is suspending all visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, including Bangladesh, a US State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Fox News first reported the news, citing a State Department memo. However, the spokesperson did not give any details about the plan.

According to Fox News report, this suspension will be effective from January 21.

According to the report, several countries including Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand are covered.

The memorandum directs US embassies to refuse visas under existing law, while the State Department reevaluates its processes. No deadline has been mentioned in this regard.

According to the report, the suspension comes in the context of a massive immigration crackdown led by Republican President Donald Trump since he took office in January.

State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott said in a statement, “The State Department will exercise its long-standing power to disqualify potential immigrants who may become a public charge in the United States and prevent abuse of the generosity of the American people.”

He added, 'Immigration from these 75 countries will be suspended until the State Department re-evaluates the immigration process to prevent the entry of foreign nationals for the purpose of receiving welfare allowances and government benefits.'

According to the report, the full list includes: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

Source: Fox News, Reuters.

Salahuddin/sa