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The State Department announced on Wednesday that it will freeze visa processing indefinitely for immigrants from 75 countries (The Wall Street Journal, subscription).

What’s going on: The freeze, which takes effect on Wednesday, Jan. 21, “will halt visa issuance to people looking to permanently immigrate, typically through marriage, family ties or work sponsorship.”

• Countries affected comprise many in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, such as Somalia, Nigeria, Russia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Brazil and Colombia.
• The pause is an expansion of the administration’s travel ban, which as of Jan. 1 lists 39 nations whose citizens may not enter or emigrate to the United States. These include Niger, South Sudan and Syria.
• This week’s freeze will not affect temporary work or tourist visas.

The reasoning: In November, the State Department instructed consular officers “to determine whether the person they are evaluating might become a ‘public charge’ if admitted to the U.S.—meaning the person would likely need welfare or other public assistance.”

The full list: All 75 countries are listed here.