US Bans Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries, Pakistan on 'Burden' List

• The Trump administration banned immigrant visas for citizens from 75 countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, citing them as an economic 'burden'.
• The US determines a country's 'burden' status based on its citizens' 'welfare dependency rate' – the percentage receiving government assistance like food aid, housing, unemployment benefits, or free medical care.
• Bhutan (81.4%), Yemen (75.2%), Somalia (71.9%), and Afghanistan (68.1%) have the highest welfare dependency rates among immigrants in the US.
• 40.2% of Pakistani immigrants in the US receive government assistance, leading to their inclusion on the visa ban list, despite recent diplomatic efforts.
• India is not on the 'burden list', indicating Indian immigrants are seen as contributors to the US economy, unlike Pakistan, which faces a 'diplomatic earthquake'.

Why It Matters: US tightens immigrant visa rules for 75 countries, including Pakistan, based on welfare dependency rates.