FALSE
Rumors spreading through WhatsApp falsely claim that Green Card holders from 75 countries will lose their status and be deported. The actual policy suspends NEW immigrant visa processing for people abroad—it does not affect Lawful Permanent Residents already in the U.S. The Jamaican Foreign Minister called these claims 'categorically false.'
On January 15, 2026, the Trump administration announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries. This policy affects those outside the U.S. seeking to immigrate, not current residents. However, WhatsApp voice notes—claiming to be from 'immigration lawyers'—have spread panic in diaspora communities, falsely stating that Green Card holders will be deported. TikTok videos show users packing bags with captions like 'POV: Trump just cancelled all Green Cards for Jamaicans.' This has caused 'remittance runs' and labor market disruptions.
Background
On January 15, 2026, the Trump administration announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, effective January 21. The countries include nations in Latin America, the Caribbean, the Balkans, and parts of Africa and the Middle East [1]. This policy applies to those OUTSIDE the U.S. seeking to immigrate permanently.
Root Cause Analysis
The panic conflates the 2026 visa suspension with the chaotic 2017 'Muslim Ban' rollout, where Green Card holders were initially detained at airports [3]. It also conflates 'Visa Suspension' with separate 'Mass Deportation' rhetoric targeting undocumented immigrants. WhatsApp voice notes claiming to be from 'immigration lawyers' have spread through Caribbean diaspora communities, creating high-trust, low-verification panic [2].
The Evidence
The Jamaican Foreign Minister was forced to issue a statement calling the Green Card revocation rumors 'categorically false' [2]. The actual policy does not affect Lawful Permanent Residents already in the United States. However, the panic has caused real economic consequences including 'remittance runs'—people pulling money from U.S. banks to send home in anticipation of deportation.
Visa Suspension: Claim vs Reality
| Viral Claim | Policy Reality | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Green Card holders will be deported | Policy only affects NEW visa processing abroad | Al Jazeera [1] |
| All immigrants from 75 countries banned | Suspension of processing, not entry ban for current residents | CBC [3] |
| Deportations start January 21 | No deportation provisions in this policy | Jamaica Foreign Ministry [2] |
The 2017 'Muslim Ban' chaos created lasting trauma and distrust of immigration announcements. WhatsApp voice notes bypass public scrutiny and feel trustworthy because they appear to come from personal contacts. The format exploits the information gap between policy announcements and detailed explanations.