In Thailand, a close ally of the United States, a wave of disappointment and feelings of betrayal has emerged following President Trump's recent decision to halt the processing of immigrant visas for 75 countries, including Thailand. This announcement has left many individuals like Khaochat Mankong, a 27-year-old Thai national, reeling as they watch their dreams of starting new lives in America vanish before their eyes.
Khaochat, who had already submitted her visa application through the U.S. embassy in Bangkok, was eagerly anticipating a fresh beginning alongside her American husband in California. However, last week, with a sudden policy shift from the Trump administration, those aspirations were abruptly put on hold indefinitely. The U.S. Department of State justified this suspension by alleging that migrants from these targeted countries were claiming welfare benefits at "unacceptable rates."
Expressing her shock, Khaochat remarked, "I never expected that they would interfere with permanent or marriage visas. Now, everything is in limbo for an unknown duration." She had envisioned building a family in the U.S. and had no intentions of relying on public assistance. "If they want to conduct screenings, they should assess language proficiency and financial stability. I have the necessary skills and resources. Why should I be barred from living with my loved one?"
The sentiments of frustration and uncertainty are echoed across Thai social media, where numerous couples are voicing their fears about prolonged separations or the possibility that their children may not be granted residency rights. Additionally, potential migrant workers have expressed their disillusionment, particularly as the suspension affects EB-class employment visas and K-class spousal and dependent visas.
One such individual, 26-year-old Songtham Artsomjit, shared his dismay after having paid a Thai agency $800 to begin the application process for an EB-3 unskilled work visa. "I was set to work on an assembly line producing flatbed trailers in Wisconsin," he recounted with hope, viewing it as a pivotal moment that could lead to permanent residency. Instead, he now finds himself employed at a supermarket in Israel, stating, "I'm more fearful of the prospect of poverty than the dangers associated with war there."
While some individuals remain optimistic that this suspension will eventually be lifted, it appears that Trump's actions are part of a broader strategy aimed at significantly limiting legal immigration to the United States. Thailand, which has maintained a formal diplomatic relationship with the U.S. since 1833 and is one of only two U.S. treaty allies in Southeast Asia, has been disheartened to find itself on a list alongside various impoverished nations embroiled in conflict, such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia, and Myanmar.
Last week, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who is also a candidate for prime minister in the upcoming general elections, sought clarity from U.S. Charge d’Affaires Elizabeth J. Konick regarding the rationale behind this visa freeze. He articulated his concerns over including Thai nationals in this suspension, emphasizing their contributions to the U.S. economy and the historically strong ties between Washington and Bangkok. "These questions are detrimental to our relationship," he asserted.
For many Thais, this sense of injustice is further compounded by the relatively successful experiences of the Thai diaspora in the U.S., where many have transitioned from low-paying jobs in restaurants, warehouses, and factories to create prosperous businesses. According to the Pew Research Center, the median annual income for Thai-headed households in 2023 was $82,000, surpassing the national average of $75,000.
Once a pivotal ally in the U.S. campaign against communism and more recently a partner in countering China's assertive claims in the South China Sea, Thailand's relationship with its oldest treaty ally has faced increasing strain since Trump took office again. Like other countries in Southeast Asia that rely heavily on exports, Thailand has encountered significant economic challenges due to tariffs imposed by Trump.
Since August, Thai exports to the U.S. have been subjected to a 19 percent tariff, while negotiations for a comprehensive trade deal have stalled over U.S. demands that Thailand open its markets to large American agricultural producers. Phil Robertson, an American resident in Thailand and director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates, criticized the Trump administration for its transactional view of international relations, stating, "They lack respect for what the relationship entails."
Robertson condemned the new visa policies as "crass and cruel," predicting that the administration would introduce so many bureaucratic obstacles that migration to the U.S. would become nearly impossible. Not everyone in Thailand shares this viewpoint, however.
Noi, who resides with her American husband in Niceville, Florida, voiced her support for the Trump administration's efforts to curb welfare claims among migrants. "Since Trump's presidency began, we've seen initiatives aimed at preventing our tax dollars from supporting immigrants from various nations," she explained, noting that while the ban impacts several countries, it has awakened public awareness about ongoing issues.
For Khaochat, the collapse of her dreams carries a bitter twist of irony: "My partner voted for Trump," she revealed.
