U.S. Temporarily Halts Visa Applications from 19 Countries, Including Somalia

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2025 — The U.S. government has temporarily suspended visa applications from 19 countries, including Somalia, a move announced Wednesday following the fatal shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington last week.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services halted asylum procedures last Friday. Agency Director Joseph Edlow said the suspension is necessary to strengthen vetting of foreign nationals.

The affected countries are Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, Sierra Leone, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Burundi, Yemen, Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Laos. Some were previously included in travel restrictions under former President Donald Trump.

The action comes as President Trump has intensified rhetoric against Somali immigrants in Minnesota, saying he does not want migrants from East Africa and claiming they do not contribute to the country.

The U.S. Authorities have expressed concern that enforcement operations targeting undocumented immigrants could begin in Minneapolis and St. Paul, raising fears within local immigrant communities.

GAROWE ONLINE