The Trump administration is preparing to suspend all visa processing for visitors from 75 countries — including Thailand — starting on Jan 21, Fox News reported on Wednesday, citing a memo from the US State Department.
Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand are among the affected countries, according to the report.
Representatives for the State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported memo, which Fox News said directs US embassies to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses its procedures. No timeframe was provided.
The reported pause comes amid the immigration crackdown by Republican President Donald Trump.
In November, Trump had vowed to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries” following a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national that killed a National Guard member.
In November, Fox News said, a State Department cable sent to posts around the world instructed consular officers to enforce sweeping new screening rules under the so-called “public charge” provision of immigration law.
The guidance instructs consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits, weighing a wide range of factors including health, age, English proficiency, finances and even potential need for long-term medical care.
