India, Jan. 14 -- The United States has gone all the way in a surprise step to temporarily halt immigrant visa processing for applicants hailing from 75 countries. Announced via internal guidance through the State Department, the move reflects a new attempt by the administration to stringently enforce the long-standing statutes designed to stop immigrants from becoming dependent on public assistance. Although this is framed as an administrative review, the global attention and uncertainty that thousands of prospective migrants feel come because of the scale and timing of the suspension.

According to officials, it's the result of the heightened application of the "public charge" aspect of US immigration law, wherein consular officials can...