The Trump administration has declared an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, a measure set to commence on January 21, 2026. This expansive action primarily targets applicants seeking permanent residency in the United States, based on concerns that they might become 'public charges' or rely on government welfare. The State Department stated this move is aimed at preventing the abuse of America's immigration system by those who would 'extract wealth from the American people'. Notably, while the headline from Hindustan Times suggests a 'positive update' and 'big relief' for 15 countries, this refers to a very specific exemption. These 15 nations, which are included in the broader list of 75 affected by the immigrant visa freeze, will still have their citizens eligible for *non-immigrant* visas to attend major sporting events, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as tourists, athletes, or media professionals. This distinction is crucial, as it does not alleviate the general immigrant visa suspension for these countries. The freeze explicitly does not apply to non-immigrant visas for general tourism, study, or temporary work. For the Indian audience, a significant detail is that India is not included in the list of 75 countries facing the immigrant visa processing freeze. However, several of India's neighbors, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan, are on the list. Experts suggest India's exemption is likely due to its low welfare dependency and strong employer sponsorship rates, along with strategic and diplomatic reasons. This development marks a significant shift in US immigration policy, impacting a large portion of the global population seeking permanent residency in the US.