US embassy explains suspension of immigrant visas for Bangladeshis

The US Embassy in Dhaka has explained the suspension of issuing immigrant visas for Bangladeshi citizens, stating that the decision was made due to a high rate of use of US public welfare benefits among Bangladeshis.

“We owe it to American taxpayers to make sure that immigrants do not unlawfully utilize government welfare or become a public charge to the United States,” the embassy said on its Facebook page on Monday.

“The Department has paused the issuance of immigrant visas for Bangladesh, whose nationals have had a high rate of U.S. public welfare usage,” it said.

“This pause will give the Department time to conduct a full review of our screening and vetting policies and procedures to ensure they put Americans first. The pause does NOT apply to nonimmigrant visas, including tourist or student visas,” the embassy added.