From Egypt to Lebanon: What’s at stake for regional states on Trump’s visa ban list?
The State Department claimed that citizens from the affected countries are more likely to use social welfare services at a high rate.
The US freeze on immigrant visa processing for 75 countries could significantly affect the Middle East and North Africa. Thirteen countries from the region were named, including states that heavily depend on remittances and are struggling economically.
The State Department said in a statement on Wednesday that migrants from the affected countries “take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates," though it did not elaborate.
“The freeze will remain active until the US can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people,” read the statement.
A US official told Al-Monitor that the pause will begin on Jan. 21.
