5eko otsailaren 2026ean argitaratua
Egilea: Rana Pratap
2026ko otsailetik aurrera, Green Card freeze implemented by the U.S. government is causing significant travel disruptions for nationals from several countries, including the Bahamak, Brasilen, Jamaica, Santa Luzia, dominica, cuba, and many others. This freeze, which suspends the processing of all etorkin bisa eskaerak, has left thousands of hopeful immigrants in limbo, affecting individuals seeking permanent residency in the U.S. for family reunification, work opportunities, or other reasons. The Green Card freeze is a measure aimed at enhancing vetting procedures and addressing concerns related to “public charge”—ensuring that visa applicants are financially self-sufficient.
bezalako herrialdeentzat. Bahamak, Brasilen, and others, this pause on immigrant visa processing is particularly problematic for families hoping to adopt children from these regions. While there is some relief through the National Interest Exception (NIE) for adoption cases, other immigration categories are facing extended delays and uncertainty. This has created a ripple effect on bidaia-atzerapenak as individuals and families navigate the complex landscape of halted immigration services. The U.S. State Department has confirmed that adoptive families can continue with the regular visa process, but non-adoptive immigration applications—especially for work-based visas or family reunification—will face significant delays due to the freeze.
This comprehensive pause in processing highlights the challenges faced by many Caribbean and Latin American nations and underscores the growing concerns for those seeking to build a future in the U.S. amidst the current freeze.
The Bahamas, like other countries on the list, is now facing the consequences of the Green Card freeze, which started on January 21, 2026. With all immigrant visa applications from Bahamian nationals suspended, those hoping to immigrate to the U.S. for work, family reunification, or other reasons are now in limbo. This includes thousands of people who have already started their immigration journey, waiting for their applications to be processed.
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The freeze is particularly problematic for U.S. families hoping to adopt children from the Bahamas. However, there is relief under the National Interest Exception (NIE), which allows adopted children to proceed with the visa process. Families can still submit their visa applications and attend consular interviews without additional steps. This waiver ensures that U.S. adoptions from the Bahamas can continue, albeit with some delays.
For those seeking other forms of permanent residency, the situation is more complicated. Bahamians looking to move to the U.S. will face long delays due to the freeze, with processing times expected to increase significantly. This may disrupt the plans of many Bahamian families hoping to reunite or individuals pursuing work-based immigration.
iragarki
iragarki
Brazil, one of the 75 countries affected by the recent Green Card freeze, is facing significant travel disruptions, particularly for families in the process of adopting children. As of January 21, 2026, all immigrant visa applications from Brazilian nationals have been suspended, leaving prospective parents in a lurch. The immigration freeze has thrown a wrench in the adoption process, especially for U.S. families hoping to bring children from Brazil into their homes.
However, there is hope for these families. The U.S. State Department has announced that adopted children may qualify for an exception under the National Interest Exception (NIE), which is part of 10998ko Presidentearen Aldarrikapena. This waiver means that the adoption process can continue, and families can submit visa applications and attend consular interviews as normal. Importantly, they do not need to take any additional steps beyond the regular adoption process.
iragarki
iragarki
Despite this relief, the freeze still impacts the broader immigration landscape for Brazilians seeking permanent residency. With all immigrant visa applications from Brazil halted, those hoping to move permanently to the U.S. for work, family reunification, or other purposes will need to wait until the freeze is lifted, which could cause a delay in processing times for all categories of immigration.
Saint Lucia, along with several other countries, is now affected by the U.S. Green Card freeze, leaving many families and prospective immigrants in a state of uncertainty. As of January 21, 2026, all immigrant visa applications from Saint Lucia have been temporarily suspended due to the blanket ban. This suspension includes those hoping to reunite with family members, obtain employment-based green cards, or participate in the Diversity Visa Lottery.
The travel restrictions have the most immediate impact on families involved in international adoptions. Children adopted by U.S. citizens from Saint Lucia may still qualify for exceptions under the National Interest Exception (NIE), allowing them to proceed with the adoption process. The U.S. State Department has confirmed that these families can continue their visa applications and consular interviews as usual. However, non-adoptive immigration applications will be affected by the freeze.
For Saint Lucian nationals looking to enter the U.S. for permanent residency or those in the middle of family reunification or employment visa processes, the freeze will add significant delays. This pause in immigrant visa processing is expected to increase the backlog of applications, creating frustration and uncertainty for thousands of hopeful applicants.
Guatemala, like many other countries affected by the Green Card freeze, faces significant disruptions in the immigration process, particularly for families attempting to adopt children. With the U.S. suspending all immigrant visa applications for Guatemalan nationals as of January 21, 2026, the path to permanent residency is temporarily blocked. This affects thousands of people who have already initiated immigration procedures, including those hoping to join family members or obtain work visas.
The freeze poses an additional challenge for U.S. families seeking to adopt children from Guatemala. However, there is some relief in the form of the National Interest Exception (NIE), which permits children adopted by U.S. citizens to qualify for a waiver, allowing them to continue the visa process. These families can continue with their normal adoption procedures, including submitting visa applications and attending consular interviews, without needing additional steps.
For those not involved in adoption, the situation is much more complex. Guatemalan nationals seeking permanent residency in the U.S. for work, family reunification, or other reasons will face extended delays due to the freeze. This will likely create a significant backlog in the application process, delaying the movement of many Guatemalans to the U.S.
Jamaica, a popular country for U.S. immigration, is heavily impacted by the Green Card freeze, which came into effect on January 21, 2026. All immigrant visa applications from Jamaican nationals have been suspended, creating serious delays for those seeking permanent residency, including families hoping to reunite or individuals seeking employment-based visas.
The most significant impact will be on adoption cases, as Jamaican children adopted by U.S. citizens can still qualify for exceptions under the National Interest Exception (NIE). This means families can continue their adoption processes, submit visa applications, and attend consular interviews without additional steps. The NIE waiver offers some relief to families stuck in the limbo of the visa freeze, but it does not extend to other forms of immigration.
Jamaican nationals looking to immigrate for work, family reasons, or through the Diversity Visa Lottery will face significant delays in their visa processes, as the freeze continues. The pause in processing will cause a backlog in the immigration system, meaning Jamaicans could experience longer wait times and uncertainty regarding future visa approvals.
Dominica is also facing disruptions due to the Green Card freeze, which affects all 75 countries on the list, including Dominica. As of January 21, 2026, the U.S. has suspended all immigrant visa applications from Dominica, creating significant hurdles for individuals and families seeking to immigrate. The freeze not only affects family-based immigration but also impacts employment and diversity visas.
However, there is a glimmer of hope for those adopting children from Dominica. Under the new rules, U.S. families can still qualify for the National Interest Exception (NIE), allowing them to continue with their adoption process. Families can apply for visas, attend interviews, and follow the usual steps in their adoption journey, without needing to take additional actions.
For non-adoptive cases, however, the situation is less favorable. Dominicans hoping to move to the U.S. for work or family reunification will face significant delays in their visa applications. This freeze will create a backlog, resulting in extended waiting periods for those who have already started their immigration processes.
Cuba, like many countries affected by the recent Green Card freeze, is facing significant disruptions in the immigration process. As of January 21, 2026, the U.S. has suspended all immigrant visa applications from Cuban nationals, causing delays for thousands of individuals and families who were in the midst of their visa application processes. This includes people hoping to reunite with family members, find employment in the U.S., or seek asylum. The freeze has added considerable uncertainty for those hoping to start new lives in the U.S. and has extended the waiting period for anyone involved in the immigrant visa process.
For U.S. families looking to adopt Cuban children, there is some relief. Under the National Interest Exception (NIE), children adopted by American citizens can still qualify for a visa exception, allowing them to proceed with their adoption process. This means families can submit visa applications and attend consular interviews as usual, with the only caveat being that the process may take longer due to the visa freeze. However, for non-adoptive immigration cases, such as family reunification or employment visas, the freeze will significantly slow down the process, creating a backlog in U.S. immigration services.
As of February 2026, the U.S. has implemented a Green Card freeze, halting the processing of immigrant visas for nationals from 75 countries. This action is primarily aimed at improving vetting procedures and addressing concerns about “public charge”—ensuring applicants can financially support themselves. The freeze affects a diverse range of nations across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. However, adoptive families from these countries may still qualify for a National Interest Exception (NIE), allowing them to continue the adoption process without extra steps. Non-immigrant visa applications, such as for tourism or business, remain unaffected.
Below is a breakdown of the 75 countries currently under the U.S. immigrant visa processing pause:
| Eskualdea | Herrialdeak |
|---|---|
| Africa (25 Countries) | Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda. |
| Asia & Middle East (21 Countries) | Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Yemen. |
| Americas & Caribbean (18 Countries) | Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay. |
| Europe & Balkans (10 Countries) | Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia. |
| Oceania (1 Country) | fiji |
Bahamas, Brazil, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Cuba, and other countries are facing significant travel delays to the U.S. as the Green Card freeze halts immigrant visa processing, affecting thousands of applicants.
Green Card freeze has caused significant disruptions in immigrant visa processing for nations like the Bahamas, Brazil, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Cuba, and others, resulting in travel delays for many individuals hoping to immigrate to the U.S. This pause is primarily driven by concerns over “public charge” regulations and a need for enhanced vetting. While adoptive families can still apply for exceptions under the National Interest Exception (NIE), those seeking permanent residency for other reasons face long delays. As the freeze continues, it highlights the uncertainty for many travelers and potential immigrants, affecting not just families but also broader immigration processes across these countries.
iragarki
2026eko otsailaren 12a, osteguna
2026eko otsailaren 12a, osteguna
2026eko otsailaren 12a, osteguna
2026eko otsailaren 12a, osteguna
2026eko otsailaren 12a, osteguna
2026eko otsailaren 12a, osteguna
2026eko otsailaren 12a, osteguna
2026eko otsailaren 12a, osteguna
