Pakistan-US Diplomatic Push: Lawmakers Seek Exit from 75-Nation Visa “Freeze” List

WASHINGTON — A high-level Pakistani parliamentary delegation has launched a strategic push in Washington to remove Pakistan from a restrictive list of 75 nations currently facing a U.S. immigrant visa suspension. Led by Senators Saleem H. Mandviwalla and Rana Mahmoodul Hassan, the mission aims to resolve the “public charge” classification that has stalled family and employment-based immigration from Pakistan since mid-January.

Quick Facts: The Washington Diplomatic Mission

• The Crisis: Effective January 21, 2026, the U.S. paused immigrant visa issuance for 75 countries, including Pakistan, over concerns regarding “public benefit usage.”
• Delegation Leaders: Senator Saleem H. Mandviwalla (Senate Chief Whip) and Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan.
• Key U.S. Partners: Representatives Al Green, Ron Estes, and Tom Suozzi.
• Major Outcome: Agreement to form a Pakistan Strategic Bipartisan Caucus in the U.S. Congress.
• Geopolitical Leverage: Pakistan’s early support for President Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace was cited as a sign of strategic alignment.

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The “Public Charge” Hurdle: Challenging the 75-Nation List

The central focus of the Rayburn House Office Building meetings was the January 14 U.S. Department of State directive, which froze immigrant visa processing for 75 nations deemed “at high risk” of using American social welfare.

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Senator Mandviwalla argued that Pakistan’s inclusion is statistically unjustified. He presented data from the Pakistan Policy Institute USA showing that the Pakistani-American diaspora is among the top 10 most prosperous demographic groups in the U.S.

“Clarifying that our diaspora does not rely on social welfare is key. After these talks, I am confident Pakistan’s name will be removed from this list,” Mandviwalla stated.

Strategic Bipartisan Caucus & Parliament-to-Parliament Ties

To move beyond a purely security-centric relationship, the delegation secured a commitment from Congressman Al Green to establish a Pakistan Strategic Bipartisan Caucus.

• Focus: Sustained legislative dialogue, trade, and economic cooperation.
• Non-Political Stance: The delegation emphasized their visit was “strictly non-political,” a move intended to distance official parliamentary business from recent partisan lobbying on Capitol Hill.
• Funding: The caucus will receive institutional support and backing from the affluent Pakistani-American community to ensure long-term viability.

Leveraging the “Gaza Board of Peace”

U.S. Representative Ron Estes and others acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in regional peace initiatives. Specifically, Pakistan’s decision to join the Gaza Board of Peace (BoP)—a transitional governance framework for post-war Gaza championed by the Trump administration—was highlighted as a vital bridge in the bilateral relationship. This cooperation is seen as a “strategic choice” by Islamabad to engage with Washington on global humanitarian and security platforms.

Next Steps and Expectations

Following this legislative engagement, the delegation and the newly proposed caucus will:

• Lobby the State Department: Formalize the request for a review of Pakistan’s immigrant visa status based on the “prosperity data” presented.
• Congressional Visit: A formal invitation has been extended to U.S. lawmakers to visit Pakistan to further inter-parliamentary cooperation.
• Caucus Launch: Finalize the charter for the Strategic Bipartisan Caucus to begin formal operations by the next legislative quarter.

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