Kenya spared as U.S. halts immigrant visa processing for other EAC states
The suspension affects Somalia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Sudan and South Sudan, according to a notice circulated to U.S. embassies and consulates. Kenya breaking news | Kenya news today |..
✨ Key Highlights
Kenya has been exempted from a new U.S. immigrant visa processing freeze that will affect several other East African nations. This decision allows Kenyans to continue applying for U.S. immigrant visas, while citizens from Somalia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Sudan, and South Sudan will face a suspension.
- The freeze, effective January 21, 2026, impacts 75 countries globally and targets those whose migrants "take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates."
- Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the U.S. Department of State, stated the freeze aims to ensure new immigrants do not "extract wealth from the American people."
- Somalia has been particularly highlighted due to accusations of welfare fraud involving immigrants in Minnesota, U.S.
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U.S. Modifies Visa and Trade Policies Affecting Kenya - January 2026
The Trump administration has announced an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, effective January 21, to combat perceived "abuse" of the welfare system. However, Kenya has been exempted from this new U.S. immigrant visa processing freeze that affects several other East African nations, including Somalia, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. This allows Kenyans to continue applying for U.S. immigrant visas. In a separate development, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) has welcomed the passage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Extension Act by the U.S. Congress. This bill proposes to extend the trade program for another three years, providing market certainty for Kenyan exporters and safeguarding 65,000 jobs.
