The Philippines has not been identified among the countries affected by a reported suspension of U.S. visa processing, according to Manila’s top diplomat in Washington.
Jose Manuel Romualdez said the country was not included when asked about reports of a broad pause. “Philippines is not included,” he told GMA News Online via text.
A Fox News report cited by Reuters said the U.S. State Department would halt visa processing for travelers from 75 countries beginning January 21, citing an internal memorandum. The report listed Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand among those named.
The reported pause follows a directive issued last November by Donald Trump ordering a comprehensive review of asylum cases and permanent residency approvals after an Afghan national killed a National Guard member in Washington, D.C. U.S. embassies, the report said, were instructed “to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses its procedures.”
Since returning to office, Trump has pursued stricter immigration enforcement and expanded deportations, a central pledge of his campaign.
Separately, the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, underscored the depth of bilateral ties during her farewell reception on Wednesday night. “People-to-people ties are what form the basis of our enduring bond, the enduring bond between our two nations. There are over 1.3 million US citizens who have visited the Philippines in 2024 alone, deepening the connections of family, friendship, and shared history,” she said.
Carlson pointed to cooperation during disasters as a defining feature of the alliance and described the Philippines as a destination “to trade, invest, innovative, and grow.” She highlighted a trilateral effort with Japan to develop the Luzon Economic Corridor—an initiative aimed at boosting trade and improving transport, energy, and logistics efficiency nationwide.
She also noted the establishment of a new foreign assistance section at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, administering more than $313 million for energy resilience, countering illegal fishing, health improvements, and private-sector growth. “These efforts are building a brighter, more prosperous future for Filipinos and Americans,” Carlson said.
During her more than three years in the country, Carlson said she oversaw over 500 combined military activities and expressed confidence in continued coordination. “We have defended international law in the South China Sea and upholding the rights of the Filipino fisherfolk. Our alliance is truly ironclad, and our shared commitment has never been stronger,” she said.
