Hidden Xenophobia or Genuine Security? Details as US Targets Nigeria, 74 Countries in Visa Crackdown

Controversy has continued to trail the latest immigration policy by the United Stste as American.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) reports since the State Department memo went viral globally, many have raised questions about American hypocrisy and selective compassion.

The US State Department had announced an indefinite suspension of visa processing for Nigeria and 74 other countries.

In the memo, the US tagged these nations’ nationals, declaring that they are allegedly “taking welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.” On its X handle on Wednesday, the US said the pause will remain ‘active ‘ indefinitely.

But beneath the veneer of bureaucratic language lies a troubling pattern that hints at deeper xenophobic tendencies, especially against African and other marginalized nations.

The State Department’s memo, directs consular officers to halt immigrant visa processing starting January 21 — until they “reassess” screening procedures.

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The US justify this by saying they need to prevent “public charge” applicants—those deemed likely to rely on US welfare—from entering the country. But critics see this as an excuse to discriminate against nations perceived as economically or socially problematic, with Nigeria squarely in the crosshairs.

“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people. Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said in a statement.

The visa suspension affects 75 countries, including 27 in Africa, 22 in Asia, eight in Europe, 13 in North America and the Caribbean, three in South America, and one in Oceania. The full list of affected countries are: Algeria,Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia,Ghana, Guinea, Liberia,Libya Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Yemen, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Syria, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Albania, Belarus, Bosnian, Kosovo, Macedonia , Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and NevisSaint Lucia,Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and Fiji.

In November 2025, a State Department cable, according to Fox, sent to posts around the globe instructed consular officers to enforce sweeping new screening rules under the so-called “public charge” provision of immigration law.

The guidance instructs consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits, weighing a wide range of factors including health, age, English proficiency, finances and even potential need for long-term medical care or overweight applicants could be denied, along with those who had any past use of government cash assistance or institutionalization.

However, Somalia has drawn scrutiny from federal officials following a sweeping fraud scandal centered in Minnesota, where prosecutors uncovered massive abuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programs. Many of those involved are Somali nationals or Somali-Americans.

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This crackdown follows a series of “dubious narratives”, including unfounded claims of fraud scandals involving Somali nationals, which have been weaponized to justify broader restrictions.

But the reality is that; many of these measures disproportionately target African nations, reinforcing a disturbing pattern of systemic xenophobia masked as ‘national security’. It’s a classic case of using “welfare abuse” as a pretext to close the doors on entire populations.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the US embassy in Nigeria is busy celebrating a “reimagined” American Centre—an opulent space meant to showcase American culture, foster educational opportunities, and deepen US-Nigeria relations. But these gestures ring hollow when the US simultaneously tightens restrictions on Nigerian immigrants, signaling a paradoxical approach: warm words and cultural diplomacy on one hand, and exclusion and suspicion on the other.

The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, said: “Today, we are proud to reopen the American Centre as a space that celebrates American excellence in arts and reflects the values that define our nation.

“American Spaces have become trusted venues for young people seeking opportunities to learn about the United States, improve their English and develop professional skills.

“They offer a welcoming environment where students, entrepreneurs and community leaders can connect, collaborate and innovate.”

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This contradiction exposes a troubling reality: the US’s so-called commitment to diversity and opportunity is often just a façade, hiding an undercurrent of xenophobia that targets Africa and other non-Western nations. It’s a clear message—unless you meet the US’s narrowly defined criteria, your nation’s citizens are unwelcome to pursue dreams or seek a better life.

The question many are now asking is;
Is this really about public safety or simply about favoritism and fear-mongering? The answer seems painfully clear. The US’s latest visa freeze is less about safeguarding its resources and more about reinforcing racial and geopolitical divides—an act that smacks of modern-day xenophobia dressed in diplomatic language.