By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
Reporting highlights:
- The Security vs. Wealth Divide: How the “border security” justification sits alongside a new $1M wealth-based entry system.
- Regional Impact: A deep dive into how African allies like Ghana and Senegal are navigating these restrictions, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching.
- The “Gold Card” Mechanics: Technical details on the Gold, Corporate, and Platinum tiers.
The United States has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries over concerns that they may rely on public assistance in the future. This move marks a significant expansion of the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration. While primarily rooted in economic self-sufficiency, policymakers have characterized the measure as a vital pillar of a broader border security overhaul designed to close loopholes in the entry process. The formal list, later posted on the U.S. State Department’s website, is notably broad—it includes war-torn nations, U.S. allies and adversaries alike, countries with long-standing migration ties to America, alongside several top destinations for American travelers.
Starting January 21, the directive will halt visas intended for employment or family reunification from a diverse list of nations. This includes African nations from every corner of the continent, such as Ghana, Somalia, Egypt, and Angola, alongside other global nations such as Iran and Russia.
The suspension does not apply to non-immigrant visas, such as those for students or tourists. Consequently, the policy will not prevent travelers from seeking entry for the World Cup in the U.S. this summer. However, officials confirmed that the pause is part of a broader effort to reassess how the U.S. screens potential immigrants.
Trump Administration Crackdown on Immigration
This latest restriction follows a year of increased scrutiny under the “public charge” provision of immigration law. This provision targets individuals the administration believes may become a strain on public resources. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott clarified the government’s position in a statement Wednesday.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” Pigott said. He explained that immigrant visa processing will be paused while the State Department reassesses procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would “take welfare and public benefits.”
The administration took a firm stance on social media to justify the move. In a post on X, the U.S. government stated that immigrants from the list of countries “take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.” The post further clarified that the freeze will remain active “until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.”
The policy has faced sharp political pushback. Senator Edward J. Markey, a Democrat representing Massachusetts, slammed the move as “cruel.” He argued the freeze is an “economic, moral, and security failure” and criticized the administration’s goal of ensuring immigrants do not “extract wealth” as a subjective metric.
Continental Reaction: African Leaders Speak Out
The broad scope of the ban has drawn criticism from major African powers, including those currently excluded from the list. While South Africa is not among the 75 nations currently facing the immigrant visa freeze, the move comes amid a climate of heightened diplomatic tension on the continent. Previously, in 2025, the South African government expressed “great concern” over U.S. executive orders that they felt were based on “misinformation” regarding their internal policies.
At that time, South African officials noted that the foundational premise of such orders often “lacks factual accuracy” and creates a climate of uncertainty. While South Africa remains off the current “Public Charge” list, their previous insistence that bilateral engagements must be grounded in “factual dialogue” remains a highly relevant sentiment as neighbors like Nigeria and Ghana navigate these new restrictions.
Even as some nations have taken a confrontational tone, others are pursuing quiet diplomacy. Experts suggest that the African Union may soon issue a collective response to address the fact that nearly 90% of African immigrant visa applicants are now effectively barred from entry.
This latest announcement follows a string of restrictions from the Trump Administration, including the pausing of diversity visas in late December 2025. Diversity visas historically allowed a maximum of 55,000 immigrants from countries with low U.S. immigration rates—many in Africa—to enter the United States each year. The administration suspended the program indefinitely following a high-profile security incident in Massachusetts, citing the need for a total review of screening protocols.
Expanded Travel Ban: Proclamation 10998
The January 21 pause builds upon Presidential Proclamation 10998, which took effect January 1, 2026. This proclamation fully or partially suspends entry for citizens of 39 countries to “protect the security of the United States.”
The “Full Suspension” list includes 19 nations—such as Afghanistan, Burma, Haiti, and Somalia—where both immigrant and non-immigrant entry is barred. A “Partial Suspension” applies to 20 other nations, including Nigeria and Senegal. This specifically targets immigrant visas and certain student (F/M) or exchange (J) categories.
World Cup Supporters in Limbo: Senegal and Ivory Coast
While athletes and team officials are exempt, the travel ban has left thousands of supporters for Senegal and Ivory Coast in limbo ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Senegal supporter Djibril Gueye told The Associated Press, “I don’t know why the American president would want teams from certain countries not to take part. If that’s the case, they shouldn’t agree to host the World Cup.”
Supporters from these West African nations face “partial restrictions” due to visa overstay rates. Data shows a 4% overstay rate for Senegal and 13% for Ivory Coast.
Ivorian coach Emerse Faé expressed optimism that a solution would be found. “It’s a celebration, football is a celebration… it would be a real shame not to let our supporters come and experience this celebration,” he stated.
The World Cup and Short-Term Travel
The timing of the freeze is notable as the United States prepares to host the World Cup this summer. Since the pause does not apply to non-immigrant tourist visas, soccer fans from many of the 75 affected countries can still apply for travel documents. Consular offices are expected to remain open for these short-term categories.
However, they will review procedures under “public charge” rules. This is to strengthen assessments of whether applicants are likely to become “overly dependent on US public welfare systems.” Fans from countries under a “Full Ban,” like Haiti and Iran, remain entirely barred unless they hold a specific waiver.
The Wealth Pathway: Trump Gold and Platinum Cards
As traditional family-based and employment visas are frozen, the administration has launched a parallel, wealth-based system. The “Trump Gold Card,” now live at trumpcard.gov, allows wealthy foreigners to secure permanent residency through a $1 million (approx. 10.8 million GHS) “gift” to the U.S. Treasury. A Corporate version is available for $2 million (approx. 21.6 million GHS).
The administration is also marketing a “Platinum Card” for a $5 million (approx. 54 million GHS) contribution. This proposed tier would allow holders to spend up to 270 days per year in the U.S. without triggering global tax residency. While the Gold Card utilizes existing legal frameworks, legal experts warn the Platinum tier lacks a confirmed launch date and faces significant litigation risk.
United States-Ghana Relations: A Diplomatic Exception
Despite previous reports of a diplomatic shield, Ghana’s inclusion in the final list of 75 countries has sparked domestic turmoil. Ghanaian Ambassador to the U.S. Emmanuel Victor Smith previously noted that the suspension strictly applies to immigrant visas and does not affect B1–B2 visas for business and tourism.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, had also claimed successful negotiations exempted Ghana from the most severe penalties, including visa bonds. However, the confirmed presence of Ghana on the State Department’s list of suspended nations suggests these exemptions may have been temporary or incomplete.
Internal Friction over Ghana’s Diplomatic Posture
The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has labeled Ghana’s inclusion on the freeze list as “deeply troubling.” Speaking on Asempa FM, Jinapor warned that bilateral relations are deteriorating due to a lack of a substantive U.S. Ambassador and “poorly calibrated” government rhetoric. He specifically criticized Minister Ablakwa’s public accusations against Israel and the government’s stance on U.S.-Venezuela tensions as harmful to Ghana’s national interests. Jinapor urged a return to “economic diplomacy” and the traditional non-aligned policy of being “friends to all” to prevent further diplomatic isolation.
Impact on Trade and Students
Because the pause is limited to immigrant visas, the immediate impact on trade and short-term business travel is expected to be minimal. Business travelers using B1 visas and students on F1 visas are not currently included in this specific suspension. However, the State Department on Monday announced it revoked more than 100,000 visas in 2025. These revocations included tourists who overstayed. It also included “some 8,000 student and 2,500 specialized worker visa holders for criminal offenses ranging from driving under the influence to theft.” This heightened enforcement suggests that even those not covered by the current pause face a more rigorous screening environment.
Reactions from the Diaspora
Reactions to the policy vary significantly between domestic and international observers. Within the U.S., Joseph Edlow, director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, has signaled a rigorous approach. In a post on X, he said he has “directed a full scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.” However, the non-profit organization USAFacts notes that Green Card holders are already subject to a “five-year waiting period” before becoming eligible for several major benefits, including Medicaid and SNAP.
In contrast, many Africans, especially Ghanaians living in America have expressed concern over the future of family reunification. While current green card holders are not immediately affected, the pause on new immigrant visas stops the flow of relatives joining their families. Ghanaians on the continent remain cautious, balancing the relief of certain exemptions with the reality of an indefinitely paused path to permanent U.S. residency.
