An official from the US State Department has emphasized that the visa restrictions imposed by Donald Trump will not impact the World Cup, alleviating concerns that fans might face entry denials at the border.
The Trump administration recently announced a temporary halt on immigrant visa processing from 75 nations to prevent the misuse of welfare benefits. This decision affects countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Morocco, and Iran, all of which are participating in the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Concerns have been raised by fans fearing potential difficulties at the border as a result of these measures.
Responding to these apprehensions, a US State Department representative clarified to the Mirror that the visa suspension pertains specifically to immigrant visas and does not impact nonimmigrant visas, including those for tourists, athletes, media personnel attending the World Cup.
The US State Department’s decision to pause immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, encompassing Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia, is motivated by the belief that individuals from these nations might exploit welfare programs.
The memo stated, “The Trump administration is halting immigrant visa processing for these 75 countries while reviewing immigration procedures to prevent entry of individuals seeking to benefit from welfare and public assistance.”
This action is part of a broader immigration policy by Trump, characterized by numerous raids targeting suspected undocumented migrants across the United States over the past year.
The ‘visa freeze’ affects 75 nations, excluding the United Kingdom. Among the countries on the list that have also qualified for the FIFA World Cup are:
While the visa restrictions apply solely to immigrant visas, activists warn that the extensive changes could lead