The crackdown on immigrant visas in the United States has ensnared friends and enemies alike in Latin America, where a large portion of the countries included in the blacklist They are governed by left-wing presidents, like Uruguay, an ally of the United States.
The latest restriction on immigrants promoted by the president Donald Trump aims to further prevent the entry of citizens from a list of 75 nations considered more likely to use government services.
Pause in immigrant visa processing begins on January 21.
Which countries are on the ‘black list’ for visa processing?
Uruguay, the small South American nation, applied for a visa waiver program under Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden. But now he joins Brazil, Colombia y Guatemala —all led by left-wing leaders— on the list, in addition to Nicaragua y Cubarivals of the United States.
In contrast, citizens of countries led by more conservative presidents who have allied themselves with Trump —Argentina, Paraguay y Ecuador— were saved from facing the same fate. In statements to the press in Montevideo, the US ambassador, Lou Rinaldi, denied that Uruguay was the target of criticism.
President Yamandu Orsi has joined five other governments, including Brazil and Colombia, in condemning the US intervention in Venezuela earlier this month to capture Nicolás Maduro.
Trump’s policy will only apply to those seeking live and work permanently in the United Statesnot to tourists or temporary workers.
The policy will not affect many Uruguayans “but in terms of the signal it sends, of course it worries us,” Orsi said after a meeting Thursday with Rinaldi.
Uruguay, a country with low migration to the United States
While Uruguay is known for its progressive social policies, it has also sought to maintain strong ties with the United States, even though China It is its main business partner. The United States is the main market for software exports from Uruguaywhile China is the main buyer of its beef and soybeans.
Previously, only a small fraction of Uruguayans applied for the visas that will now be suspended. Its citizens received only 123 of the more than 237,000 visas that the United States issued to Latin American and Caribbean countries in 2024, according to US data.
Although average salaries in the United States are much higher than those of Uruguayans, the South American country boasts other advantages. His government offers public health care and free college education, in addition to liberal policies, such as the right to legal abortion, cannabishe equal marriage and the euthanasia at the national level.
