B Mirror Report: The US Embassy in Dhaka has explained the decision to suspend the issuance of immigrant visas for Bangladeshi citizens. The explanation was provided in a statement on Monday (March 23).

According to the statement, the decision was taken due to a higher rate of use of US public welfare benefits among Bangladeshi nationals.

It said the US government has a responsibility to its taxpayers to ensure that immigrants do not improperly access public welfare programs or become a burden on government support systems.

Based on data indicating higher usage of public benefits among citizens of certain countries, the relevant department has suspended immigrant visa issuance for Bangladeshis.

The suspension will allow time for a comprehensive review of screening and vetting policies and procedures to ensure they prioritize American interests. The suspension does not apply to non-immigrant visas, including tourist and student visas.