Fiji has been identified as one of 75 countries impacted by a recent decision from the United States government to suspend the processing of certain immigrant visas, a move that underscores the Trump administration’s tightening of immigration policies.
Beginning January 21, this suspension targets various immigrant visa categories, including those related to employment and family reunification applications. However, non-immigrant visas such as those for students, tourists, and business visitors remain unaffected by this change.
US officials indicated that this suspension is part of a wider review of immigration processes, focusing particularly on the enforcement of the “public charge” provision in US immigration law. This provision permits authorities to deny entry to individuals deemed likely to need public assistance upon arrival in the United States.
Tommy Pigott, a spokesperson for the State Department, stated that the department plans to exercise its authority to temporarily halt processing while it reassesses the systems in place to prevent the entry of migrants who may place additional demands on public resources.
Countries listed alongside Fiji have already been under increased scrutiny regarding travel and visa applications due to earlier measures. This group includes nations across the Pacific, as well as regions in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
As a result of this decision, immigration plans for many Fijians looking to settle permanently in the United States will likely face delays. However, officials have not provided a timeline for when the processing of these visas will potentially resume, leaving many in uncertainty about their future plans.