– Caption:Experts question accuracy of 40 percent welfare claim for Pakistani immigrants amid selective country listing
ISLAMABAD: The United States Department of State announced on January 14, 2026, an indefinite pause on issuing immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries deemed at high risk of becoming a public charge through reliance on government welfare programs. The policy, effective from January 21, 2026, targets permanent residency pathways while sparing nonimmigrant visas such as tourist, student and work categories. Pakistan features prominently on the list alongside nations from Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Haiti, Iran, Nigeria, Russia and Somalia. The move stems from President Donald Trump’s emphasis on ensuring immigrants remain financially self-sufficient and do not burden American taxpayers.
The suspension arises from a broader review of public charge policies under Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which bars entry to those likely to depend primarily on public assistance. The State Department justified the pause by stating that applicants from these countries pose elevated risks of utilizing benefits like Medicaid, food stamps and cash aid. During the interim period, visa interviews may proceed for affected nationals, but no immigrant visas will be issued pending completion of the reassessment. This policy builds on earlier Trump administration efforts to tighten immigration vetting, including expanded public charge considerations introduced in late 2025.
A key point of contention surrounds the data underpinning the high-risk designation for Pakistan. Public discussions, including a chart shared by President Trump on his social media platform in early January 2026, claimed that 40.2 percent of Pakistani immigrant-headed households in the United States receive some form of government assistance. This figure has fueled the inclusion of Pakistan in the 75-country list. However, immigration experts and members of the Pakistani-American community have expressed skepticism regarding the accuracy and sourcing of this statistic, noting the absence of transparent methodology or official verification from government agencies.
Prominent South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman highlighted discrepancies, observing that the Pakistani diaspora in America is generally characterized by high education levels, professional employment and affluence, with data from sources like the US Census indicating lower dependency on public benefits compared to refugee-heavy groups. Critics argue the 40.2 percent rate appears inconsistent with established profiles of Pakistani immigrants, who often enter through family sponsorship, employment or diversity visas and contribute significantly to sectors such as medicine, technology and business. The lack of detailed breakdown by entry category or duration of residence further undermines confidence in the figure.
Comparisons with other nationalities reveal inconsistencies in the application of the policy. For instance, immigrant households from certain countries not included in the 75-nation suspension, such as China, have been cited in similar informal charts with welfare participation rates around 32.9 percent, while others like India show notably lower or absent high-usage mentions due to higher average incomes and education among their diaspora. Studies from organizations like the Center for Immigration Studies indicate overall immigrant welfare use exceeds that of native-born households in some programs, but per-country granular data remains limited and often region-based rather than nation-specific.
The selective inclusion has drawn criticism for potential bias, as the list encompasses many developing nations while excluding others with comparable or higher reported rates in unofficial compilations. Pakistani officials have engaged with US counterparts, expressing hope that the measure proves temporary and does not reflect broader bilateral relations. Community leaders in the United States emphasize that Pakistani immigrants pay substantial taxes and bolster the economy, countering narratives of dependency.
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Broader implications for global migration include disruptions for family reunification, employment-based green cards and diversity visa recipients from affected countries. The pause affects nearly half of recent immigrant visa issuances in some fiscal years, potentially straining consular resources and delaying processing for thousands. Legal challenges may emerge, focusing on the evidentiary basis for country-specific designations and compliance with existing immigration statutes.
Immigration advocates argue the policy disproportionately impacts legal pathways without addressing root causes of benefit usage, such as refugee admissions or economic disparities. As the review continues, stakeholders await clarity on revised vetting criteria and potential resumption timelines. The development underscores ongoing tensions in US immigration policy under the current administration, balancing security, fiscal concerns and humanitarian considerations.
Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html
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