The Trump administration has indefinitely suspended immigration visas for people from 75 countries, marking one of its most expansive efforts yet to restrict U.S. legal pathways.
The freeze, which will take effect on January 21, targets applicants who officials see as likely to become a “public charge” — whom they describe as people who may rely on government benefits to meet their basic needs.
State department he wrote on social media It would “temporarily halt the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries whose immigrants receive welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.”
The list includes war-torn countries, US allies, and countries with long-standing immigration ties to the United States (you can see the full list here).
The research contradicts the administration’s claims about the use of immigrant sponsorship. In February of last year, the libertarian Cato Institute Published paper It shows that, on a per capita basis, native-born Americans consume more welfare benefits and entitlements than all immigrants. The study found that immigrants consume 21% less welfare benefits and entitlements than native-born Americans on a per capita basis in 2022.
The Trump administration stops procedures for obtaining immigrant visas from 75 countries
“The freeze will remain in place so that the United States can ensure that new immigrants do not take wealth away from the American people,” the State Department wrote in a statement. “We are working to ensure that the generosity of the American people is no longer abused.”
The pause comes on the heels of Trump’s expansion in December of a travel ban to 39 countries, suspending the processing of asylum claims and halting citizenship and green card applications for citizens of countries already subject to restrictions.
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The US Senate rejected a resolution that would have limited Trump’s actions in Venezuela
The US Senate voted against a war powers resolution that would have prevented Donald Trump from taking further military action against Venezuela without giving advance notice to Congress.
Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana, who joined three other Republicans to push the resolution to the Democrats’ side last week, flipped out after saying they received assurances from the Trump administration.
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Trump insists Greenland is important to national security after Denmark talks
Donald Trump said it was “unacceptable” for Greenland to be “in the hands” of any country other than the US, reiterating his demand to seize the Arctic island, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
The US President said: “The United States needs Greenland for the purpose of national security. NATO should lead the way for us to obtain it.” On social media. He said the alliance was “becoming stronger and more effective” with territories under US control.
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Iran signals swift trials and executions of protesters in defiance of US warnings
The Iranian government has indicated that detained protesters will face speedy trials and executions, defying Trump’s threat to intervene if authorities continue their crackdown.
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The Justice Department says it is “unnecessary” to know whether Maduro’s seizure violates the law
The Trump administration has received Justice Department approval to use the military to arrest Nicolas Maduro, even as it declined to address whether the operation would violate international law, according to a legal filing. The midnight raid to capture Venezuela’s president raised a host of legal issues regarding the president’s power to initiate an armed conflict without congressional approval and potential violations of international law.
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Democratic lawmakers file articles of impeachment against Kristi Noem
Democratic Rep. Robin Kelly on Wednesday formally filed articles of impeachment against Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, following the shooting death of a US citizen by an immigration agent in Minneapolis last week.
“Secretary Noem has brought her reign of terror to the Chicagoland, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Charlotte, Durham, and communities from east to north to south to east to west,” Kelly said at a press conference on Wednesday. “She must take responsibility for her actions.”
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Trump administration cancels up to $1.9 billion for substance abuse and mental health issues
The Trump administration on Tuesday evening unexpectedly eliminated up to $1.9 billion in funding for substance abuse and mental health care, which providers say will immediately impact thousands of patients.
“The scope of care disrupted by these grants is catastrophic,” said Ryan Hampton, founder of Mobilize Recovery, a national advocacy organization for people in recovery seeking recovery. “Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people will die.”
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What else happened today:
Catch up? Here’s what happened on that day January 13, 2026.