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•Reopens redesigned centre to deepen ties
By Chinelo Obogo
The US State Department has said it will stop immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants ‘take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.’ The freeze, the State Department said on its X handle on Wednesday, will remain active ‘until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.’
A State Department memo has directed consular officers across the globe to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses screening and vetting procedures. The pause will begin January 21 and will continue indefinitely until the department conducts a reassessment of immigrant visa processing.
According to Fox, Somalia has drawn scrutiny from federal officials following a sweeping fraud scandal centered in Minnesota, where prosecutors uncovered massive abuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programs. Many of those involved are Somali nationals or Somali-Americans.
In November 2025, a State Department cable sent to posts around the globe instructed consular officers to enforce sweeping new screening rules under the so-called “public charge” provision of immigration law. The guidance instructs consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits, weighing a wide range of factors including health, age, English proficiency, finances and even potential need for long-term medical care or overweight applicants could be denied, along with those who had any past use of government cash assistance or institutionalization.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people. Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said in a statement.
The visa suspension affects 75 countries, including 27 in Africa, 22 in Asia, eight in Europe, 13 in North America and the Caribbean, three in South America, and one in Oceania. The full list of affected countries are: Algeria,Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia,Ghana, Guinea, Liberia,Libya Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Yemen, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Syria, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Albania, Belarus, Bosnian, Kosovo, Macedonia , Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and NevisSaint Lucia,Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and Fiji.
Meanwhile, the United States (US) Embassy in Abuja has announced the official reopening of its redesigned American Centre (for excellence and creativity) at the Embassy Chancery, to deepen US-Nigeria relations.
The Centre features modernised spaces and enhanced technology aimed at expanding educational, cultural and professional opportunities for Nigerians of all ages.
The Embassy, in a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, said the role of the American Centre and American Spaces are basically to foster opportunity and connection.
It explained that the goal of having such spaces was to provide information about the U.S., English language teaching and learning, and educational advisory for study at U.S. institutions.
Others include providing information about US cultural programmes, networking with US exchange programme alumni and professional skills building.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, said: “Today, we are proud to reopen the American Centre as a space that celebrates American excellence in arts and reflects the values that define our nation.
“American Spaces have become trusted venues for young people seeking opportunities to learn about the United States, improve their English and develop professional skills.
“They offer a welcoming environment where students, entrepreneurs and community leaders can connect, collaborate and innovate.”
He added that through educational advisory, entrepreneurship training, and digital literacy programmes, American Spaces equipped Nigerians with the tools they needed to succeed in a rapidly changing global economy.
The newly redesigned centre, the statement said, featured murals, which are a series of large public artworks that celebrate American history, culture and shared values, highlighting freedom, innovation and community.
“Through creative artworks, bold imagery and symbolic scenes, the murals are meant to educate, inspire, and reflect the experiences and ideals that have shaped the United States.
“The individuals depicted on this mural embody the values of hard work, determination and perseverance.
“These are hallmarks of American achievement, but they are also qualities we see everyday in Nigerian youth,” Mills added.
Lee McManis, US Country Public Diplomacy Counselor, stated that the revitalised space joined twenty-nine other American Spaces across Nigeria, serving as vibrant hubs for cultural exchanges and learning.
He said by fostering connections and supporting lifelong learning, American Spaces would empower individuals and strengthen the bonds From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
