ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday it was in contact with US authorities and hoped routine visa processing would resume after Washington completes an internal review of its immigration system that has led to a pause in immigrant visa issuances for several countries, including Pakistan.
The US State Department said on Wednesday it would suspend the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, including Pakistan, from Jan. 21, as President Donald Trump presses ahead with a hard-line immigration agenda centered on financial self-sufficiency.
In an update published on its website, the State Department said it was conducting a comprehensive review of immigration policies to ensure that migrants from what it described as “high-risk” countries do not rely on public welfare in the United States or become a “public charge.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said it had taken note of the announcement and was in contact with US authorities to seek clarification on the scope and duration of the move.
“We are in touch with the US authorities to ascertain further details. This is an evolving news that we are following. We understand that this is an internal ongoing process of review of US immigration policies and system,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said.
