Trump news at a glance: US halts visas from dozens of nations in latest immigration crackdown | Trump administration
The Trump administration has indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, in one of its most ambitious efforts yet to restrict legal pathways to the United States.
The freeze, which takes effect Jan. 21, targets applicants who authorities consider likely to become a “public charge” — whom they describe as people who can rely on government benefits for their basic needs.
The State Department wrote on social media that it would “suspend the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries whose migrants receive welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.”
The list includes war-torn countries, U.S. allies, and countries with long-standing immigration ties to the United States (you can view the full list here).
The research contradicts the administration’s claims about immigrants’ welfare use. In February of last year, the libertarian Cato Institute published a paper showing that native-born Americans consumed, on average per capita, more welfare benefits and entitlements than all immigrants. The study found that immigrants consumed 21% less welfare and welfare benefits than native-born Americans per capita in 2022.
Trump administration halts immigrant visa processing for 75 countries
“The freeze will remain active until the United States can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people,” the State Department wrote in a statement. “We are working to ensure that the generosity of the American people is no longer misused.”
The pause follows Trump’s December expansion of travel bans to 39 countries, suspension of asylum processing, and halting of citizenship and green card applications for citizens of countries already subject to restrictions.
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US Senate rejects resolution that would have limited Trump’s action in Venezuela
The US Senate voted against a war powers resolution that would have blocked Donald Trump from taking further military action against Venezuela without notifying Congress in advance.
Senators Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana, who joined three other Republicans to advance the resolution alongside Democrats last week, reversed course after saying they had received assurances from the Trump administration.
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Trump insists Greenland crucial to national security after Denmark talks
Donald Trump said it would be “unacceptable” for Greenland to be “in the hands” of a country other than the United States, reiterating his demand to retake this Arctic island, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
“The United States needs Greenland for its national security. NATO should lead the way for us to get it,” the US president said on social media. The alliance “becomes much more formidable and effective” with U.S.-controlled territory, he said.
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Iran announces rapid trials and executions for protesters, defying US warnings
The Iranian government signaled that detained protesters should be tried and executed quickly, defying Trump’s threat to intervene if authorities continued their crackdown.
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Justice Department says it’s “unnecessary” to determine whether Maduro’s arrest violated the law
The Trump administration received approval from the Justice Department to use the military to capture Nicolás Maduro, although it declined to determine whether the operation would violate international law, according to a legal memo. The nighttime raid to capture the Venezuelan president raised a host of legal questions regarding the president’s authority to start armed conflict without congressional approval and possible violations of international law.
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Democratic lawmakers file articles of impeachment against Kristi Noem
Democratic Rep. Robin Kelly on Wednesday formally introduced articles of impeachment against Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by an immigration agent in Minneapolis last week.
“Secretary Noem has brought her reign of terror to Chicagoland, to Los Angeles, to New Orleans, to Charlotte, to Durham, and to communities across the East, North, South, East and West,” Kelly said at a news conference Wednesday. “She must be held accountable for her actions.”
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Trump administration cancels up to $1.9 billion for substance use and mental health
The Trump administration unexpectedly canceled up to $1.9 billion in funding for drug addiction and mental health care late Tuesday, which providers say will immediately affect thousands of patients.
“The extent of care disrupted by these subsidies is catastrophic,” said Ryan Hampton, founder of Mobilize Recovery, a national advocacy organization for people in or seeking recovery. “Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people will die. »
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What else happened today:
A catch-up? Here’s what happened January 13, 2026.
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