U.S. Department of State

The federal executive department responsible for foreign affairs, including approval and notification of foreign military sales. - Executing expedited arms transfers under Rubio's leadership

For decades, the State Department has followed an informal practice: before announcing major arms sales, wait for the top members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee to review the deal. The Trump administration has now bypassed this congressional review three times in twelve months, pushing through more than $18 billion in weapons to Israel without committee approval.

Updated Feb 2

Controls visa issuance at U.S. consulates worldwide; implemented the 75-country pause on consular authority rather than presidential proclamation. - Implementing immigrant visa pause

The U.S. has barred immigrants based on economic status since 1882. On January 21, 2026, the State Department suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries—more than a third of the world's nations—citing concerns that applicants might someday use public benefits. The pause affects green card applicants from Afghanistan to Uruguay, including spouses and children of U.S. citizens, with no announced end date. The suspension came one month after the administration paused the Diversity Visa lottery entirely following a campus shooting, leaving over 125,000 DV-2026 winners in limbo.

Updated Jan 23

Federal agency with jurisdiction over visa issuance for all foreign nationals seeking U.S. entry. - Implementing visa suspensions and travel bans

For sixty years, U.S. immigration law has operated on the principle that nationality alone should not determine who can enter. That principle is now being suspended for 75 countries. The State Department announced January 14 that immigrant visa processing—the pathway to permanent residency—will halt indefinitely for nationals of these countries starting January 21, on the grounds that applicants are deemed likely to require public assistance.

Updated Jan 15