US Secretary of State Marco Rubio./FILEKenya and Burundi are the only East African countries that were spared from a list that the State Department said was pausing immigrant visa processing. The State Department said it was pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries in an effort to crack down on applicants deemed likely to become a public charge. A State Department memo directed consular officers to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses screening and vetting procedures. "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. Exceptions to the new pause will be "very limited" and only allowed after an applicant has cleared public charge considerations.

Source: The Star January 15, 2026 07:29 UTC