Pakistanis voice concern over US immigrant visa suspension

Pakistani immigration agents and citizens voiced concerns on Thursday after the administration of US President Donald Trump announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, including Pakistan.

A US State Department spokesperson said a day earlier that the Trump administration is suspending immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries as part of Washington’s intensified immigration crackdown. The pause is set to take effect from January 21.

The suspension will affect applicants from a wide range of regions, including Latin American countries such as Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay, Balkan states including Bosnia and Albania, South Asian nations Pakistan and Bangladesh, as well as several countries across Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean.

"It is a matter of concern," Mohammad Yaseen, a travel and immigration agent in Karachi, said while speaking to Reuters.

"All these people who were waiting for a long time for their visas to be issued, they also had an appointment date, but their visas would be suspended. They will be affected by this news and this ban," he added.

A local resident and banker, Amar Ali, said the ban will economically dent Pakistan because many Pakistanis earn and send dollars back home, which boosts its economy.

Another resident Anwer Farooqui, urged President Trump to reconsider this decision and keep Pakistan, which is a very reliable friend of the United States, at the same level.

According to a State Department cable sent to US missions, there were indications that nationals from the listed countries had sought public benefits in the United States, a factor cited in the decision.

The move, first reported by Fox News, does not affect US visitor visas, which have drawn particular attention as the United States prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.

The decision follows a directive issued in November, in which US diplomats were instructed to ensure that visa applicants are financially self-sufficient and unlikely to become dependent on government subsidies during their stay, according to a State Department cable seen by Reuters.

President Trump has pursued a broad immigration crackdown since returning to office in January, with his administration aggressively prioritising immigration enforcement. Federal agents have been deployed to major US cities, a move that has sparked violent confrontations involving both migrants and US citizens.