The United States government has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, a major expansion of its immigration restrictions. The decision, announced by the State Department on January 14, 2026, will take effect on January 21, 2026, and is part of the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to tighten entry standards and reduce reliance on public assistance. Thabiso Tema spoke to Dr Kingsley Makhubela.