Dominica is among 75 countries that will be affected by a United States decision to indefinitely suspend immigrant visa processing beginning January 21, marking another expansion of the Trump administration’s immigration restrictions, according to several international media sources.
The pause will affect countries including Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Haiti, Somalia, and Russia. It applies specifically to immigrant visas, such as those for employment in the U.S., but does not extend to non-immigrant visas like student or tourist visas. As a result, individuals traveling to the U.S. for short-term purposes, including attendance at the World Cup this summer, will not be impacted.
The suspension follows a directive issued last year by the State Department to increase scrutiny under the “public charge” provision of immigration law. The provision allows officials to deny entry to individuals deemed likely to rely on public assistance.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement Wednesday.
“Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” Pigott added.
Several of the countries affected by the suspension were already included in the administration’s expanded travel ban list.
The full list of 75 countries affected by the U.S. immigrant visa suspension is available, organized by continent can be seen below.
Africa (27 countries)
Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Gambia, Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire
Asia (22 countries)
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Cambodia
Europe (8 countries)
Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia
North America & Caribbean (13 countries)
Haiti, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Belize
South America (3 countries)
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
Oceania (1 country)
Fiji
Ok. so how many of you actually in line for green card? well ive been waiting for 6 1/2 years now…..i was almost there. i wanted to migrate to get better opportunities and join my entire family that lives in the states. i have children and all in America. i am invested emotionally and financially. certain world leaders are not for migration simple. i im heart broken at my situation yet happy to see how america repaying the naturalized citizens and green card holders that voted for him….great job guys. this is what yall wanted right? vote republican my as…..now yall will feel the might of racism and isolation. stay in allu country….and more importantly, leave allu family in the third world country even if yall voted republican…..that makes my heart warm. rain falling on everybody.
A lot of legal or naturalized immigrants especially support closing the borders its surprising until you keep seeing it happen over and over again.
There are an alarming number of black people who support Trump and still do…there is a lot of Trump in us whether we like to admit it or not… they are likely seeing themselves and the people they know in him and they are too conceited to see it as bad.
We love to hate and make ourselves look better than others by ridiculing other people and putting them down. There is a widespread and sick enjoyment many gain (but not all) from doing that. Its in our politics, religion, business and families and many are proud of it too!
This suspension is good for Dominica as it will reduce the migration numbers and help grow Dominica’s population.
As someone born in Dominica, I support the U.S. government’s decision. No country is obligated to extend access to its systems when there is sustained evidence of abuse and lack of accountability.
It has been difficult for me to reckon with this, but over time I’ve had to revise some of my own beliefs. Too often—both on the island and abroad—there has been tolerance for dependency, shortcuts, and entitlement rather than responsibility and contribution. No sovereign nation should be expected to absorb that.
This outcome is also inseparable from governance. The continued support of a deeply corrupt administration under Prime Minister Skerrit has severely damaged Dominica’s economy, reputation, and—most tragically—the future prospects of young people. Political loyalty without accountability always comes at a cost.
I deeply empathize with Dominicans who opposed this leadership and are now forced to bear consequences they did not create. But as I was taught growing up: who does…
The comments say who wants to go to the US anyway is so interesting, for want of a better word.
Let’s face it, most of us have some family, friend or other connection to the US. Not only that the wicked DLP used several of our family members etc. in the US to come down to vote for them and go back. The DLP could not stop talking about how much remittances come from the diaspora to Dominica (including the US). So, it is apparent that going to/being in the US is convenient when it suits them.
Perhaps the time has come for the US to send back all those that voted with bribed tickets. Let them come back and suck salt, just like those that voted Republican. In other words – FACE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR VOTE!
you must be a jack rabbit to write such nonsense like that.
It’s as if we in the Caribbean have given Donald Trump and the U.S. dominion over us. The United States is not even in the top best twenty (20) countries in the world to live.
It will be wise for us to greatly reduce our ‘dependency’ (trade, business, education, health) on America. It is no longer a reliable ally. It is inevitable, like a matter of survival, that we seek new trading partners around the world. No one country should have so much influence over us.
“Be thine own palace, or the world’s the jail.”
To administration Trinidad and Tobago is not on the list of affected countries; so is Guyana.
With all that goin on .Dominica on list of restrictions for the USA Dominicans can’t get visas yet still the PM OF Dominica still want to take deportees from other countries we don’t know their background. They could be child molesters they could be killers anything and the PM want to welcome them to our country. What is in it for Dominicans.
Sadly he does not have a choice, the SSU cannot stand up to an extraction force from the USA like they did in Venezuela. When US Special Operators show up on your front door is not how are you there are there to ask. Chichi know if he does not cooperate his behind in trouble. Maduro is already singing like a parrot so save he and his wife so they can be sent to another country post conviction. We all know Chichi was in cohorts with Maduro and Chavez and the US know that too. He even gave the Bird Island which is filled with resources to be explore. Tic tok, tic tok……keep watching this space!
I hate Dominica so much. Such a useless, boring nation.
@ getmeoutofhere, just learn to swim and swim out of here. you can go in any direction East West North or South or you can consider yourself garbage and dump yourself in the landfill…..
It is interesting to note that the country with the biggest drain on America’s tax payer funded finances (Israel) is not included on this list. Israel receives billions upon billions of dollars from American tax payers every year. This enables them to offer their citizens free healthcare, free education and subsidised housing. Whereas, American citizens are denied healthcare if they cannot afford health insurance, students debts are through the roof with Trump administration threatening to take action against students who are unable to service their debts. For Americans who cannot afford to buy their own homes they are subjected to high rent and when they cannot afford, they become homeless and rounded up by Trump’s Gestapos and thrown into concentration camps. So why are Israelis given a free pass when they don’t need to go to the US (except for holidays)? But citizens from other countries who are more in need of these opportunities are denied.
Eagle eye… all you want to do is criticize PRESIDENT DONALD J TRUMP. ..You’re referring to Israel is not on his list.. is Guyana there? is Trinidad and Tobago there.. always
opening your large mouth. Trump said every one is free to leave if they can’t stand the heat.
If you read the list properly you will see Trinidad and Tobago mentioned under the thirteen North American and Caribbean countries listed. And if you think Trump loyal to anyone but himself, the Trinidadians would think that they would be exempted with their dear madam leader colluding with Trump to kidnap Maduro and his wife who are being held hostage in the US. With regard to Guyana, their oil industry is already run by American big oil companies such as Exxon. Is when Trump decide he wants control of Guyana’s other rare earth minerals, that’s when he will include them on the list as well to pressurise them into signing them over to him. FYI, If you want to keep your VISA to go pick fruit in America you better make sure you keep kissing Tyrant Trump a**e on your socials. Else he will bar you from coming if you dare criticise his Tyranny.
almost every twice a week Dominica is making headline news….I honestly believe there is more to come…is like now America has a bad loose bowel after tired talking to Dominica and tired warning them…so now is po poo time…skerrit and his carelessness is solely to be blame…not Thompson and Lennox…they all warned you…but you keep saying they want to stop your worthless CBI program….keep breaking wood in your head…and u will see what’s the US next plan for Dominica…just keep in your head ….there is more to come…
LOL…never mind the thumbs down. Its all a coordinated effort by the Cabalists to show the populace supports Skerrit. We got them covered
Boy I am forced to remember this words of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, when he was asked to account for our passport money .
“ Go to hell, go to hell, go to hell”…It’s not your damn business…”. I guess the actions of the US against us is only the damn business of Skerrit and those that support him in his evil. No, no , no Skerrit has put all of us in hell and seems like because we upheld him in his evil and wrong doings we even seem to be matching to hell praising saying Thank God for Skerrit.
Well the US is doing what is in the best interest of the US while Skerrit is doing what is in his best interest and the best interest of China and to hell with Dominica.
When I look at the list of countries that will be affected, especially from the Eastern Caribbean I realize that not all the countries were selling CBI passports though almost all the leaders were covering those that were selling them to crooks and criminals. So maybe the judgement is not all about the sale of passports but rather their support for China, Iran, Russia and Venezuela.
Although I am hurt for my people and family members who will be affected but I would be a damn fool to blame it on Trump and the US instead of the damn corrupt leaders we have in the Caribbean today, starting with the Starboy of stupidity who killed our Banana industry, our coconut industry, Ross University just to name a few, so that he and his evil and corrupt gangsters could sell our passports to wanted criminals
Every country has the sovereign right to set, enforce and modify their immigration policies.
Truth is the US has been infinitely more generous and lax with their social welfare programs than many other “developed” countries.
Family and friends more familiar with the social welfare programs in Canada and the UK have long informed of the more fiscally stringent “squeezing a penny out the rare” less charitable policies in those countries.
Gross mismanagement and legacy lax oversight along with systemic abuse and waste have long plagued the systems in the US.
Stemming the flow of immigrants may not yield the expected reduction in abuse, fraud and waste which were occurring before the “huddled masses” started streaming into the US; however, taking no action is not an option.
Waiting for Don 🗝️ like Brain Damage to comment on this one.Trump has started world war and is looking for security,most of the other countries do not have CBI programmes.who warned Barbados,Jamaica,Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago.MEME was right when he said Dominica is last in everything but first in stupidity,He was referring to people like Brain Damage.
btw where is MEME? I miss his comments
The United States is becoming too dark for the Donald. He wants to make the country whiter again. In fact, he wishes to whiten the world. Look at all the countries he has been bombing – Iran, Syria, Nigeria, Venezuela, Somalia………All black and brown countries. He is working overtime to save Ukraine from Russia. Ukraine a know 99.9 white, extremely racist country.
I thought Ukraine is on the list.
Facts dont matter to EGO. Iran and Venezuela consider themselves white countries Trump also banned white European countries like Ukraine,
Trump doesn’t care about black people or white people he only cares about himself. He would shaft anyone and anything to facilitate his narcissistic and often hateful agenda and EGO is the same.
Do you forget the plane load of white South African immigrants he allowed into the U.S. recently under the guise that they were been persecuted? Has he ever visited Africa as the President of America during his five years? As he ever referred to any other race of people as garbage but Blacks? Irrational!
@ EGO
Your blatant “what aboutism” aside those were largely young children and the media reports about it being “mostly white south africans” is not just inflammatory but also factually false as its too early to make a claim that 59 out 7,500 allotted quota is “most” of the refugees.
https://apnews.com/article/south-africa-us-refugees-trump-afrikaners-16e34760b93cfa66f15b4cd8380743c1
As you know, superficial and excessively self-centered types have high disgust reactions to OTHERS (people they feel are not like them) they are not loyal to any race or group. This universal and opportunistic disloyalty to others is a main source of their narcissistic supply.
He has called his own supporters weak and stupid for not agreeing with him and praised black people as smart for voting for him or when he thought they supported him.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-called-his-supporters-stupid-people-for-demanding-the-epstein-files/ar-AA1IK2EK
reports differ but the total number of refugees seems to be 138 so far still very far from “most” of the 7,500 quota.
You are supporting falsehood and selectively picking what supports you ideas just so you don’t have to change and admit you are wrong, exactly what a person with a big ego or Trump would do.
Trump was referencing Somalis to a great extent with his garbage quote,and it’s no secret that they are responsible for a lot of criminal and fraudulent activity in the USA. Also, remember this,the Somalis many do not consider themselves as being black,even if they have black skin tones,and a many are as black as night. They try to pass themselves off as Arabs,saying “We are Arabs”…a very racist bunch of people the Somalis are
In that case I hope Skerrit tear up that MOU signed with the US for Dominica to take third party deportees and refugees that the US don’t want. We should only take back Dominicans deported by the US and not other nationals from anywhere in the world.
Any one who wants to go to “sheet hole” america raise your hands..
Why don’t you show courage and raise yours first? I unapologetically raise mines 100000000 times.
Some of you are so darn ignorant it’s shameful. Skerrit has his diplomatic passport and his wife and children are US citizens in case you did not know…..SMMFH in disbelief.
Well see that’s the problem too many of us want to go to the white man country. We don’t have any travel restrictions to the rest of the caribbean, south america etc. Why is it that everybody wants to go to the U.S.A so badly that they all get upset if the people’s government decide to restrict travel?
If you have something that is in high demand it should make perfect sense that it would be harder to obtain. All dog and cyat entering the U.S. for years a lot of them have no idea how to operate in a developed country causing problems for the local popualtion. A lot of them overstaying causing problems for immigration control. Finally somebody is doing something about the problem after all these years of politicians just talking
obviouly you want to go and just salty that you cant
i argree with them
why take in more immigrants when u havent gotten a handle on those that you already have?
sort the number of illegals in the country first , then reopen visa processing thats the smart thing to do
when u cleaning a goat pen do you leave the gate open so more goats can come in while u clean? or do u close the gate deal with the goats already in the pen . clean up the pen and when thats done open the gate and deal with those outside that want to come in
the usa is finally cleaning house the same way we celebrated when uncle stayboy kokomayok skerro solved the hatian problem that dominicans were crying about by doing EXACTLY what the usa is doing at the moment
You will be happy to know that your beloved PM along with other spineless Caribbean leaders signed an MOU with Trump to take in all the immigrants that Trump don’t want. Brace yourself you will soon be accommodating them. Let’s hope you have adequate housing, health care, schooling, jobs to offer them when they start coming in. Make sure you start cleaning you goat pen. Sot!
Well again it is all about oil and race. The only two Caricom countries not included in this ban are the oil producers Guyana and Trinidad and of course the nice white people of Europe are not included.
There are several European countries on the list, some people love to make it about race when its not even that, and its not much about oil either.
He asked the oil companies who wanted to seize the oil in Venezuela before the kidnapping and they all said no, all of them. They had enough sense to know it would cost too much and be too dangerous.
Its just Trump trying to make himself look good by abusing his power.
This is has NOTHING to do a with oil. It has everything to do withTrinidad and Guyana support for the US’ military escapade into Venezuela.
if it weren’t for that, they too would have been in the list.