Trump FREEZES Visas For 75 Countries – Somalia First

The Trump administration just froze visa processing for 75 countries while simultaneously ending protected status for Somali immigrants, forcing up to 2,400 people to leave America by March 17th despite experts warning they face return to active terrorist warfare.

Story Overview

Trump suspended visa processing for 75 countries including Somalia, Russia, Iran, and Brazil effective January 21, 2026
Homeland Security terminated Temporary Protected Status for Somalis, giving them until March 17, 2026 to leave the U.S.
The policy affects up to 2,400 Somali TPS holders despite ongoing Al-Shabaab violence that doubled in 2024
Administration claims Somalia has improved while experts cite active military conflict and terrorist safe haven conditions
The restrictions expand beyond Trump’s first-term travel ban to include 20 additional countries

Sweeping Immigration Freeze Targets 75 Nations

The Trump administration announced an indefinite freeze on visa processing for 75 countries, describing the affected nations as security risks or dysfunctional states. The policy halts both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applications while the State Department conducts a comprehensive reassessment of processing procedures. Countries on the list include major economies like Brazil alongside security concerns like Iran and Afghanistan.

This represents a significant expansion from Trump’s original seven-country travel ban implemented in 2017. The new restrictions affect visa applicants worldwide, creating uncertainty for families, businesses, and international students seeking entry to the United States. The administration characterizes the pause as necessary for national security while critics argue it creates humanitarian and diplomatic complications.

Somalia’s Protected Status Terminated Despite Security Concerns

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the termination of Somalia’s Temporary Protected Status, claiming conditions have improved sufficiently to warrant removal of protections. However, this assertion contradicts recent evidence showing Al-Shabaab insurgency fatalities doubled in 2024 compared to 2020. Somalia faces active military conflict between federal forces and the terrorist organization, creating what experts describe as serious threats to returnee safety.

The TPS program for Somalia dates to 1991 when President George H.W. Bush first designated the country amid civil war. Congressional Research Service reports document decades of extensions due to persistent insecurity and armed conflict. Biden extended the designation as recently as July 2024, acknowledging ongoing humanitarian concerns that apparently reversed within six months of the new administration.

Minneapolis Community Faces Immediate Disruption

Minneapolis houses one of America’s largest Somali immigrant populations, with established community institutions and deep roots spanning decades. The March 17th deadline creates immediate displacement pressure for families who built lives during their protected status. Street protests have intensified as community members organize resistance to what they view as discriminatory targeting of their population.

Trump’s rhetoric toward Somali immigrants has escalated throughout his political career, including recent statements calling them “garbage” and claiming they contribute “nothing” to American society. The president specifically targeted Representative Ilhan Omar, suggesting the naturalized citizen should be deported despite her constitutional status. Trump also threatened to revoke citizenship from any naturalized Somali immigrants convicted of fraud.

Expert Analysis Challenges Government Claims

Immigration experts dispute the administration’s assessment that Somalia has achieved sufficient stability for TPS termination. One expert noted that forcing Somali nationals to return to a country with active military conflict contradicts both safety considerations and statutory requirements Congress established for TPS designation. The White House simultaneously describes Somalia as a terrorist safe haven while claiming conditions warrant ending protections.

The contradiction reveals the political rather than humanitarian nature of the decision. Somalia remains one of the world’s poorest nations facing severe food insecurity, chronic strife, and natural disasters including devastating droughts. These conditions typically strengthen rather than weaken the case for continued protected status under established legal frameworks.