BREAKING: State Department Announces Big Decision on Visa Applications

Beginning Jan. 21, the US Department of State will indefinitely pause visa processing for 75 countries. A department memo indicates the pause will remain in effect until a review of the visa processing system has been conducted.

Countries affected include Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Nigeria, Bosnia, and Russia. "Immigration 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," a State Department spokesman said.

The "public charge" rule, under which the US government denies visas to would-be immigrants who are likely to rely on welfare programs, has been in effect for a long time, but various administrations have enforced it under differing standards, with US consulates given broad discretion in applying the rule.