U.S. Department of State

Rule Changes

Administering wrongful detention designations

The United States has designated Afghanistan as a 'state sponsor of wrongful detention,' accusing the Taliban of holding Americans as bargaining chips. Afghanistan is the second country placed on a blacklist created by a September 2025 executive order—joining Iran, which was designated two weeks earlier—and the move opens the door to sanctions, export controls, and a potential ban on American travel to the country.

Updated 7 days ago

Rule Changes

Executing expedited arms transfers under Rubio's leadership

For decades, the State Department has followed an informal practice: before announcing major arms sales, wait for the top members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee to review the deal. The Trump administration has now bypassed this congressional review three times in twelve months, pushing through more than $18 billion in weapons to Israel without committee approval.

Updated Feb 2

Rule Changes

Implementing immigrant visa pause

The U.S. has barred immigrants based on economic status since 1882. On January 21, 2026, the State Department suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries—more than a third of the world's nations—citing concerns that applicants might someday use public benefits. The pause affects green card applicants from Afghanistan to Uruguay, including spouses and children of U.S. citizens, with no announced end date. The suspension came one month after the administration paused the Diversity Visa lottery entirely following a campus shooting, leaving over 125,000 DV-2026 winners in limbo.

Updated Jan 23

Rule Changes

Implementing visa suspensions and travel bans

For sixty years, U.S. immigration law has operated on the principle that nationality alone should not determine who can enter. That principle is now being suspended for 75 countries. The State Department announced January 14 that immigrant visa processing—the pathway to permanent residency—will halt indefinitely for nationals of these countries starting January 21, on the grounds that applicants are deemed likely to require public assistance.

Updated Jan 15