Saint Lucia among 75 countries hit by US immigrant visa freeze
The United States Department of State has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Saint Lucia. An immigrant visa is issued to a foreign national who intends to live and work permanently in the United States. It differs from a non-immigrant, or tourist visa, which is issued to […] The article Saint Lucia among 75 countries hit by US immigrant visa freeze is from St. Lucia Times.
Black News 
The United States Department of State has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Saint Lucia.
An immigrant visa is issued to a foreign national who intends to live and work permanently in the United States. It differs from a non-immigrant, or tourist visa, which is issued to foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States temporarily for tourism, business, medical treatment and certain types of temporary work.
The decision was outlined in a memo circulated on January 14, which said the suspension is part of a broader effort to clamp down on visa applicants deemed likely to become a “public charge”.
In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, the State Department stated:
“The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.”
Saint Lucia is listed among several Caribbean nations named in the memo. Others include Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Just days ago, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre sought to assure the nation that the US visa policy toward the island was unchanged.
During his New Year’s address on Sunday, the prime minister said: “As of today [January 11], there has been no information given to the Government of Saint Lucia regarding any changes in the United States’ visa policy for Saint Lucians wishing to travel to the United States.”
The article Saint Lucia among 75 countries hit by US immigrant visa freeze is from St. Lucia Times.
