Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing the Trump Travel "Ban" which is apparently a pause. Let me go ahead, I'm going to quote from NAFSA, and this is, I believe it's a Teacher's Association in the United States, but in nafsa.org over here under DOS Pauses Immigrant Visa Issuance for Nationals of 75 Countries. So the first thing to understand, when this initially came out, it was talking about a ban; it's not a ban, it's a pause. Quoting directly: "DOS Pauses Immigrant Visa Issuance for Nationals of 75 Countries. In a January 14, 2026, news posting, the US Department of State announced that it will pause" - again, "pause" - "the issuance of Immigrant Visas.” And again Immigrant Visa. So in this context, we are talking about K-1 Fiancé(e) - well we may be talking about K-1 Fiancé(e) Visas, I'll get into that in another video - but presume we are as it goes through the Immigrant Visa unit. We're also going to be looking at the K-3 which technically is a Non-immigrant Visa but going through the Immigrant Visa unit, and we're talking about, specifically though CR-1 and IR-1 Marriage Visas for those married to Thais, presumptively out of the Embassy here, processing visas out of the Embassy here. Quoting further: "Immigrant Visas at US Consulates worldwide starting January 21, 2026, for Nationals of 75 countries that DOS deems are, "at high risk of public benefits usage." During the pause, DOS will conduct "a full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge." The pause impacts only Immigrant Visa issuance and does not affect Non-immigrant visas such as B Tourist Visas, F Student Visas, J Exchange Visitors, H-1B Work Visas."

Again, Tourist Visas, Student Visas and things, you're still subject to what's called Section 214B of the Immigration and Nationality Act. I have discussed that in other videos, that specifically bars a lot of people from getting the Visa due to what's called the strong ties, weak ties analysis. 

That being said, what's the purpose of this video? The purpose of this video is to reassure folks that this is not a ban; this is not presumptively forever. I actually talked to a friend and colleague who's involved in the State Department or was in the past, and this person's assessment was look, it's a pause. They are retooling how they assess public charge. What is public charge? I get into it in another video made contemporaneously with this one. Suffice it to say, it's one's ability to financially support their loved one in the US. They are trying to ascertain whether or not folks go on the welfare rolls in the US and they want to forestall and preclude that and discourage that from happening. Which then begs the question, why target Thailand, because they're not particular perpetrators of this? But here we are. It is kind of pointless to get into the “why” of it at this point. Might as well just analyze how to deal with it moving forward. 

Again it's a pause, it's not a ban. And it primarily pertains to one's ability to financially support a loved one in the US. We will certainly be keeping you updated on this channel as the situation evolves.