Fiji is one of 75 countries whose nationals will see their applications for immigrant visas temporarily suspended by the United States.
US Department officials announced yesterday that the suspension is set to begin on 21 January and targets countries whose citizens the Trump administration has deemed likely to rely on public assistance after entering the United States.
The move follows guidance issued in November that tightened vetting procedures for prospective immigrants to ensure they will not become “public charges” in the US.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says consular officers have been instructed to halt immigrant visa applications from these countries while procedures are reassessed.
Rubio says the suspension does not apply to non-immigrant visas, such as tourist or business visas, which make up the majority of visa applications.
He says demand for these temporary visas is expected to rise in the coming years as the US prepares to host the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.
Under federal law, applicants for permanent residency are already required to prove they will not become public charges.
The Trump administration previously expanded the definition of benefits that could disqualify applicants, and the latest guidance appears to further broaden the scope.
Consular officers will now consider a range of factors, including applicants’ age, health, family status, finances, education, skills, English proficiency and any previous use of public assistance.
Immigrant applicants continue to undergo medical examinations and screening for communicable diseases, as well as providing vaccination records and information on any history of drug or alcohol use, mental health conditions, or violent behaviour.
Experts have warned that the new measures could further restrict immigration at a time when the Republican administration is already tightening rules.
Other countries affected by the suspension includes Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
Source: AP News
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