The Trump administration has suspended visa processing for visitors from 75 countries, effective January 21.
Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand are among the nations affected, Fox News reported, citing a U.S. State Department memo.
The reported pause comes as Republican President Donald Trump continues a broad immigration crackdown that has been central to his agenda since taking office last January.
Shrinking U.S.–Africa ties
In November, Trump pledged to “permanently pause” migration from what he described as “Third World countries” after a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national that killed a National Guard member.
In November, President Donald Trump vowed to “permanently pause” migration from what he termed “Third World countries” following a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national that killed a National Guard member.
A month later, Business Insider Africa reported that the Trump administration had begun recalling U.S. ambassadors from Nigeria, Uganda and 13 other African nations, marking one of the most sweeping diplomatic shake-ups since Trump returned to office.
The Associated Press said Africa was the region hardest hit by the recalls, with envoys to Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda removed, along with those posted to Algeria and Egypt.
The moves come amid a turbulent year for U.S.–Africa relations, characterised by sharp shifts in policy on aid, immigration and diplomatic engagement.
In response, some African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Malawi, have introduced reciprocal measures against Western passport holders following sudden changes to visa regimes.