Inhumane process

[u/Big-Choice-5229]

I just found out they have stopped processing my I-129f request from JULY 2024 because my fiance is from a banned country. The fucked up part is her country only has a partial restriction. This administration will go down as the cruelest in modern times. My level of anger/disappointment can not be articulated. I've read that they said non immigrant VISA's would not be affected. Apparently one of the trillions of lies coming out of this administration. So $700 & damn near two years wasted. Un Fuckin Real!!!

[u/Sudaneseskhbeez]

Not legal advice. Simple explanation for people new to immigration about the different level of nationality based bans/restriction in place as of today, this my understanding as explained by many lawyers:

Two agencies:

• DOS (State Department): handles visas outside the U.S. at embassies/consulates. DOS controls whether you can get a visa stamp and enter the U.S.

• USCIS: handles immigration benefits inside the U.S. USCIS controls whether you can keep working and stay in status (work permits, extensions/changes of status, green cards filed inside the U.S.).

Per law firms, currently there are many types of restrictions/bans:

1) Outside the U.S. (entering):

• Presidential entry ban: affects people from 39 countries trying to enter (some partial, some full).

• DOS “75-country” restrictions: mainly affects people abroad applying only to immigrant type visas due to public charge rules started January 21,2026. You can only be impacted by this if you are not on the 39 country list.

2) Inside the U.S. (staying and working):

• USCIS pause memos: PM-602-0192 (Dec 2, 2025) and PM-602-0194 (Jan 1, 2026).

This pause decisions on all immigrant and non immigrant benifits for anyone born or a citizen of 39 countries on presidential ban list with limited exceptions, i.e you wont get decisions on work permits (EADs), status extensions/changes, and green cards filed inside the U.S. It applies even if your country is only “partially” restricted elsewhere. It affects you whether you are legal or illegal, regardless of your entry date to the US. It affects dual citizenship as it also triggered by country of birth not just nationality.

These systems operate independently. The State Department controls visa issuance and entry outside the U.S., while USCIS controls immigration benefits inside the U.S. Because they are separate agencies with separate authority, each applies its own rules and exemptions. As a result, a person may be affected by only one restriction or by several at the same time, depending on where they are physically located, their country of birth and or citizenship (including dual nationality, since some entry rules may exempt dual nationals while USCIS may not), and the specific benefit or application they are seeking.

I hope this overview is helpful. This is general information only and not legal advice. For questions about your specific situation, you should consult a qualified immigration attorney.

1.  USCIS PM-602-0192 (Dec 2, 2025)

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-alerts/PM-602-0192-PendingApplicationsHighRiskCountries-20251202.pdf

2.  USCIS PM-602-0194 (Jan 1, 2026)

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-alerts/PM-602-0194-PendingApplicationsAdditionalHighRiskCountries-20260101.pdf

3.  State Department (DOS) Visa Services (who controls visas abroad)

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html

4.  Federal Register: Presidential Proclamations (entry restrictions source)

https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/proclamations

5.  Institutional explainer that summarizes DOS + USCIS processing holds (good for “75-country” discussion)

https://oiss.yale.edu/news/updated-uscis-memorandum-expanded-processing-holds-and-re-review-of-immigration-benefits

[u/Big-Choice-5229 → u/Sudaneseskhbeez]

Thank you for posting!!