The United States will indefinitely suspend visa processing for immigrants from 75 countries, in another expansion of the Trump administration's measures on immigration.
These countries include Albania and Kosovo, as well as North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In an official message distributed after the news was published by Fox News and reposted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the US State Department announced that the freeze on visa processing targets countries from which, according to US authorities, a high percentage of immigrants end up benefiting from social assistance schemes.
According to the State Department, the measure will remain in effect until the US is assured that new immigrants will not constitute a burden on American taxpayers, as part of the Trump administration's "America First" policy.
Meanwhile, US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated:
"The administration of US President Donald Trump is putting an end to the abuse of America's immigration system by those seeking to enrich themselves at the expense of the American people."
The Trump administration has taken action to combat illegal immigration, and the Department of Homeland Security said last month that the US administration has deported more than 605,000 people and another 2.5 million have left voluntarily.
The latest decision does not affect tourist, business, student or other visas, including for soccer fans who want to stay in the US to watch the World Cup taking place in the US this year, although the Trump administration has said it will vet all visa applicants.