Update of August 28, 2026, regarding the processing of immigrant visas for nationalities at high risk of dependence on U.S. assistance.

Federal Judge Jeannette Vargas struck down on Friday, August 21, 2026, the policy that suspended the issuance of immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries, including Haiti, solely on the grounds that they were nationals of one of the 75 countries listed. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-48282-haiti-news-zapping.html

In accordance with this decision, the suspension, in effect since January 2026, of the issuance of immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries is lifted.

List of the 75 countries concerned :

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.

President Trump has made it clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not a financial burden on Americans. The State Department is currently conducting a comprehensive review of all screening and vetting policies to ensure that immigrants from high-risk countries do not illegally use welfare in the United States and become a burden on the state.

Following this decision, immigrant visa applicants from the affected countries may submit their applications and attend interviews. The Department will continue to schedule interviews.

Dual citizens holding a valid passport from a country not listed among the 75 countries are exempt from this suspension.

Children adopted by Americans may be eligible for an exception, including a national interest exception as provided for in Presidential Proclamation 10998, if applicable. These American families must follow the usual adoption procedure : submit their visa application and attend the consular interview. No further steps are required for a national interest exception to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

No immigrant visas have been revoked under these guidelines. For any questions regarding admission to the United States, please contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre