US Visa Freeze Leaves Thai Nationals in Limbo as Dreams of New Life Evaporate
Thailand's US embassy was once a hub of activity as nationals prepared to start new lives in California with their American spouses. However, last week's announcement by President Donald Trump's administration has brought those plans to a screeching halt.
Khaochat Mankong, 27, had been counting on starting a new life in the US after marrying an American man. She filed her paperwork months ago and was poised to begin her journey when she heard about the visa freeze that applies to immigrants from 75 countries, including Thailand.
"I'm shocked," Khaochat said in an interview with Al Jazeera. "I never thought they would interfere with permanent visas or marriage visas." The Thai national had hoped to raise a family in California and had no intention of claiming any welfare benefits.
The US Department of State has cited "unacceptable rates" of migrant welfare claims as the reason for suspending applications from targeted countries, including Thailand. However, Khaochat argued that her language skills and financial stability should not disqualify her from pursuing a life in the US.
Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has expressed disappointment at being included on the list of countries affected by the freeze, given the country's contributions to the US economy. "These questions are not good for the relationship," he said during a recent meeting with US Charge D'Affairs Elizabeth J Konick.
The suspension has sparked fears among Thai nationals who had planned to migrate to the US as migrant workers or were seeking permanent residency through marriage or employment visas. Many have expressed frustration and disappointment on social media, sharing stories of their dashed dreams and uncertainty about the future.
One such individual is Songtham Artsomjit, 26, who paid a Thai agency $800 to start the paperwork for an EB-3 unskilled work visa. "I was going to turn my life around after getting that job," he said, describing his plan as a hoped-for turning point in life.
While some are holding on to hopes that the suspension will be lifted, Trump's pause appears to be part of a long-term strategy to severely restrict legal migration to the US.
Thailand has an increasingly strained relationship with the US since Trump's return to office. The country has weathered significant economic upheaval due to Trump's tariffs, including a 19% tariff on its exports to the US.
Critics like Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates, have condemned the administration's policy as "crass and cruel." He predicted that the administration will create so many hurdles and red tape that it will become impossible for people to migrate to the US.
Not everyone shares this sentiment. Noi, who lives with her American husband in Niceville, Florida, expressed support for the Trump administration's efforts to restrict welfare claims by migrants.
The visa freeze has left a bitter taste for Khaochat, whose dreams of starting a new life in California have been cruelly dashed. Her partner, it turns out, voted for Trump – a painful irony that underscores the sense of betrayal among Thai nationals affected by the decision.
Thailand's US embassy was once a hub of activity as nationals prepared to start new lives in California with their American spouses. However, last week's announcement by President Donald Trump's administration has brought those plans to a screeching halt.
Khaochat Mankong, 27, had been counting on starting a new life in the US after marrying an American man. She filed her paperwork months ago and was poised to begin her journey when she heard about the visa freeze that applies to immigrants from 75 countries, including Thailand.
"I'm shocked," Khaochat said in an interview with Al Jazeera. "I never thought they would interfere with permanent visas or marriage visas." The Thai national had hoped to raise a family in California and had no intention of claiming any welfare benefits.
The US Department of State has cited "unacceptable rates" of migrant welfare claims as the reason for suspending applications from targeted countries, including Thailand. However, Khaochat argued that her language skills and financial stability should not disqualify her from pursuing a life in the US.
Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has expressed disappointment at being included on the list of countries affected by the freeze, given the country's contributions to the US economy. "These questions are not good for the relationship," he said during a recent meeting with US Charge D'Affairs Elizabeth J Konick.
The suspension has sparked fears among Thai nationals who had planned to migrate to the US as migrant workers or were seeking permanent residency through marriage or employment visas. Many have expressed frustration and disappointment on social media, sharing stories of their dashed dreams and uncertainty about the future.
One such individual is Songtham Artsomjit, 26, who paid a Thai agency $800 to start the paperwork for an EB-3 unskilled work visa. "I was going to turn my life around after getting that job," he said, describing his plan as a hoped-for turning point in life.
While some are holding on to hopes that the suspension will be lifted, Trump's pause appears to be part of a long-term strategy to severely restrict legal migration to the US.
Thailand has an increasingly strained relationship with the US since Trump's return to office. The country has weathered significant economic upheaval due to Trump's tariffs, including a 19% tariff on its exports to the US.
Critics like Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates, have condemned the administration's policy as "crass and cruel." He predicted that the administration will create so many hurdles and red tape that it will become impossible for people to migrate to the US.
Not everyone shares this sentiment. Noi, who lives with her American husband in Niceville, Florida, expressed support for the Trump administration's efforts to restrict welfare claims by migrants.
The visa freeze has left a bitter taste for Khaochat, whose dreams of starting a new life in California have been cruelly dashed. Her partner, it turns out, voted for Trump – a painful irony that underscores the sense of betrayal among Thai nationals affected by the decision.
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, like Khaochat, and then suddenly, BAM! Your plans are put on hold 
because of some policy change. It's frustrating, right? 
The US visa freeze is affecting so many Thai nationals who were counting on a new life in the States 
. And it's not just about them – it's about the economy too 
. Thailand's contributions to the US economy are being ignored 
.
– it's about people's lives 
. Khaochat's story is a reminder that our dreams and plans can be cruelly dashed by policy changes. We need to keep advocating for human rights and fair treatment 
.
. With fewer skilled workers, the economy might suffer 
. It's time to find a solution that works for everyone 
!
phil robertson is lowkey right tho, this policy is super crass & cruel 
it feels like trump's just tryna control every aspect of ppl's lives. & noi, girl, u gotta feel 4 khaochat - her partner voted 4 trump & now shes feelin all betrayed 
can't believe this is how immigration policies are handled now... so many people's lives ruined because of some arbitrary number about welfare claims 
. and now she's stuck in limbo, not knowing if her dream of raising a family in Cali will ever come true 
this is so unfair, i cant believe they're doing this to people who just wanna build a new life in the us 
It's like, hello, your partner voted for Trump too, doesn't that count for something? 
The US is supposed to be all about freedom and opportunity, but I guess that only applies if you're white and from the right side of the tracks. 
this is such a bummer news for people who are tryna start fresh in california with their spouses... like what's the point of even applying if they're just gonna get stuck? 
this is so unfair 
and now it's all being put on hold 
how this visa freeze affects people's lives, especially those who were planning to start new ones in the US. It's like their American Dream has turned into a nightmare 
. Khaochat's story is so frustrating, she had everything ready to go but then got hit with this news that makes her life so uncertain 
And what about those who paid thousands of dollars to start the process already? That's just insane! 
and now khaochat's dreams are just, like, totally crushed she's going to be stuck in thailand with her partner who voted for trump – talk about a bitter pill to swallow 
It's like, they're not even assuming anyone will claim welfare benefits, Khaochat said it herself 
. Thailand has been super supportive of the US economy and we don't need this kind of negativity right now 
. It's just a shame that politics has to get in the way of love and family 
.
especially considering Thailand's contributions to their economy 
. I guess this is what happens when politics gets in the way of people's dreams