Armenia Among 75 Countries Impacted by U.S. Immigrant Visa Freeze
Armenia is among 75 countries impacted by a sweeping freeze announced on immigrant visas by the State Department.
The United States Embassy in Yerevan issued a brief statement providing a link to a memo about the visa freeze dated December 23.
“The Department of State has paused issuance of all diversity immigrant visas (Green Card). We will take the time and the measures necessary to protect U.S. national security and public safety,” the U.S. Embassy said in a note published on its social media platforms on Monday.
“This pause will allow the Department to undertake a review of the screening and vetting protocols in the DV [Diversity Visa] program. This review will address any vulnerabilities in the process to ensure the Department can adequately establish the identity of aliens who are selected through the DV entry lottery, establish the applicants’ visa eligibility, and ensure that they do not present a threat to national security or public safety,” the memo dated December 23 explained.
The pause will reportedly begin January 21 and will continue indefinitely until the department conducts a reassessment of immigrant visa processing, FOX News reported on Wednesday.
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.
“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,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said in a statement.
“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.”
In addition to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Russia are also among the 75 countries impacted by the freeze.
