United News of Bangladesh

The US State Department on Wednesday announced it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries whose nationals are considered likely to depend on public assistance while living in the United States. The department, headed by Secretary Marco Rubio, said consular officers have been instructed to halt immigrant visa applications from the affected countries under a broader order issued in November that tightened rules for prospective immigrants who may become “public charges” in the US. The suspension will take effect from January 21 and will not apply to non-immigrant visas, including temporary tourist or business visas. “The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” the State Department said in a statement. “Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.” The list of affected countries includes Russia, Iran and Afghanistan, along with several nations in Africa, according to the department. The Trump administration has already imposed strict restrictions on immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing for citizens of dozens of countries, many of them in Africa.

US Secretary of State Rubio  spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Tuesday and exchanged perspectives on regional developments. They reaffirmed the United States’ and India’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, said Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott. They exchanged best wishes for the New Year. The US Secretary of State congratulated India on enacting the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India bill. He expressed interest in capitalizing on this important development to enhance U.S.-India civil nuclear cooperation, expand opportunities for American companies, advance shared energy security goals, and secure critical mineral supply chains. Venezuela puts Rubio at the center of Trump’s foreign policy playbook Secretary Rubio and Minister Jaishankar discussed ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiations and their shared interest in strengthening economic cooperation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on January 21 in Washington, D.C. Rubio and Jaishankar affirmed a shared commitment to continuing to strengthen the partnership between the United States and India, said Spokesperson Tammy Bruce. They discussed a wide range of topics, including regional issues and opportunities to further deepen the U.S.-India relationship, in particular on critical and emerging technologies, defense cooperation, energy, and on advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Rubio also emphasised the Trump administration’s desire to work with India to advance economic ties and address concerns related to irregular migration.

The Senate has confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state, marking President Donald Trump's first Cabinet appointment on Inauguration Day, reports AP. On Monday, the Senate unanimously approved Rubio’s nomination with a decisive 99-0 vote. A Republican senator from Florida, Rubio is considered one of Trump’s least contentious choices. Another nominee, John Ratcliffe, for CIA director, is expected to face a swift vote as early as Tuesday, while votes on other nominees, including Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, may occur later in the week. Trump pauses US TikTok ban with executive order “Marco Rubio is a very intelligent man with a remarkable understanding of American foreign policy,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the Senate’s senior Republican, as proceedings began. It is traditional for the Senate to convene shortly after a presidential inauguration to confirm key national security appointments. During Trump’s first term, defense and homeland security secretaries were confirmed on day one, and President Joe Biden’s director of national intelligence was similarly confirmed on his inauguration day. With Trump returning to the White House and Republicans holding a congressional majority, his Cabinet nominees are progressing despite initial bipartisan skepticism. Trump suspends US foreign aid for 90 days After his confirmation, Rubio expressed gratitude and readiness. “It’s an important job in an important time, and I’m honoured by it,” he said, surrounded by colleagues in the Senate chamber. Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced plans to expedite votes on Trump’s Cabinet picks, stating that voting would begin “imminently.” Democrats, while opposing some of Trump’s more controversial nominees, have opted to support qualified candidates like Rubio. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer remarked that Democrats would not “rubber-stamp” unqualified nominees but would support those deserving of serious consideration, citing Rubio as one such example. Rubio’s nomination was unanimously advanced by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee late Monday, while other committees approved nominees like Hegseth, Ratcliffe, Kristi Noem for homeland security secretary, and Russell Vought for director of the Office of Management and Budget, though some faced opposition. Rubio, a seasoned senator and former Trump rival in the 2016 presidential race, has cultivated a closer relationship with Trump in recent years. As secretary of state, he becomes the first Latino to hold the position, taking over from outgoing Secretary Antony Blinken. Born in Miami to Cuban immigrants, Rubio has a strong background in foreign affairs, particularly in South America, and is known for his firm stance on China. During his confirmation hearing, Rubio highlighted concerns over the U.S.’s “unbalanced relationship” with China. While aligned with Trump’s anti-globalist rhetoric, Rubio also recognises the importance of U.S. engagement on the global stage, earning him bipartisan support. Asian shares show mixed performance following Trump inauguration The Senate’s 53-47 split, which is temporarily reduced due to recent resignations, necessitates near-unanimous Republican support to advance nominees. Procedural delays are expected with some, including Hegseth, potentially extending votes into later in the week.