The President Donald Trump-led administration in the US has halted all visa processing for applicants from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Russia, and 72 other countries.
A State Department spokesperson who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, also listed Somalia, Iran, Brazil and Thailand among the countries affected by the suspension.
The spokesperson did not elaborate on the plan, as reported by Fox News, which cited a State Department memo, adding that the suspension of the visa processing will begin on 21 January.
As reported by Fox News, the memo directed has directed embassies to refuse visa applications from the affected countries under existing law while the department reassesses its procedures.
While no time frame was provided, the reported halt came amid the sweeping immigration crackdown pursued by Republican US president since taking office last January.
Trump had, last November, vowed to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries”, following a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national that killed a National Guard member.
