The U.S. halts immigration visas from 75 countries over public assistance concerns.

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update: U.S. Halts Immigration Visas from 75 Countries Over Public Assistance Concerns

Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Lisa Brady, FOX News Podcasts

---

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the U.S. State Department's decision to temporarily pause visa processing from 75 countries over concerns regarding "public charge" determinations—an attempt to ensure new migrants don't become reliant on taxpayer-funded assistance. The show also covers related political and legal developments, an investigation into a viral video involving lawmakers and the armed forces, a notable double murder case in Ohio, and other international policy stories.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Freezes Immigration Visas from 75 Countries

[00:02 – 00:33]

• Lisa Brady introduces the main story:

  • "A freeze on visas. Lisa Brady, FOX News. The US State Department pausing the process for many countries while vetting procedures are reviewed."

• Fox News Reporter details the internal memo:

  • The U.S. has paused visa processing for 75 countries.
  • The pause is to ensure applicants do not become a "public charge" (i.e., likely to need taxpayer-funded benefits).
  • Examples of considered benefits: WIC, emergency Medicaid, and certain state-funded programs.
  • "Determining whether one is a public charge can take into consideration one's age, health and English proficiency."

• Jessica Rosenthal adds:

  • Affected countries include Somalia, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, among others.
  • "The second Trump administration has revoked a record number of foreign visas, mostly people who overstayed tourist and business visas."

---

2. Political Fallout: Senator Under Federal Investigation

[00:33 – 01:27]

• Lisa Brady transitions to a major political story intersecting with the immigration debate.

• Michigan Democrat Alyssa Slotkin voices her concerns:

  • Alleges President Trump is using the Justice Department to target political adversaries.
  • Quote: “This is the president's playbook. Truth doesn't matter, facts don't matter, and anyone who disagrees with him becomes an enemy and he then weaponizes the federal government against them,” – Slotkin [01:05]
  • Slotkin, and other lawmakers, are under investigation following a video urging military members to resist unlawful orders.
  • President Trump labeled the video “seditious.”

• Further Fallout:

  • Senator/Retired Navy Captain Mark Kelly is suing the Pentagon after being censured over this same video.
  • Articles of impeachment have been introduced against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
  • Rep. Nydia Velazquez (NY): “Kristi Noem has treated the Constitution like a suggestion and our communities like a battlefield,” [01:27]
  • The Trump administration states Noem is focused on "removing violent criminals from the country."

---

3. Ohio Double Murder Update

[02:13 – 02:59]

• Lisa Brady and Jeff Manaso provide an update:
  • The suspect in the double homicide of Monique and Spencer Tempe has been identified as Michael McKee.
  • Police Chief Elaine Bryant calls the incident a "targeted domestic violence attack."
  • Key evidence centers around McKee’s vehicle, found in Illinois.
  • "Investigators are doing data searches through McKee's electronics as McKee awaits extradition from Illinois, where he lived and was captured, back to Columbus.” – Jeff Manaso [02:42]

---

4. California Investigates X AI’s ‘Grok’ Over Deepfake Harassment

[02:59 – 03:28]

• California’s Attorney General launches an inquiry into Elon Musk’s X AI model, "Grok":
  • Investigation prompted by “an avalanche of reports about non-consensual deep fake images being used to harass women and girls.”
  • Musk claims, “he’s not aware of any naked, underage images generated by the chatbot,” but new safeguards are being implemented.
  • Similar investigations are underway internationally.

---

5. Britain Retreats from Digital ID Card Rollout

[03:28 – 04:05]

• Ainsley Earhart and Lisa Brady on UK domestic policy:
  • UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reverses plan for mandatory digital ID cards after heavy public backlash.
  • Cards were intended to curb illegal migration and streamline public services but met resistance over privacy and liberty concerns.
  • "Britain has not had compulsory identity cards for ordinary citizens since shortly after World War II." – Therese Crowley [04:05]
  • Widespread concern about protecting citizens’ information and civil liberties in light of already “curtailed” freedoms in Britain.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A public charge is someone who is likely to rely on taxpayer funded benefits like WIC or emergency Medicaid or certain programs funded by individual states. Determining whether one is a public charge can take into consideration one age, health and English proficiency.”
  – Fox News Reporter [00:11]

• “Truth doesn’t matter, facts don’t matter, and anyone who disagrees with him becomes an enemy and he then weaponizes the federal government against them.”
  – Alyssa Slotkin, Michigan Democrat [01:05]

• "Kristi Noem has treated the Constitution like a suggestion and our communities like a battlefield.”
  – Rep. Nydia Velazquez (NY) [01:27]

• "Police Chief Elaine Bryant calling the double murder a targeted domestic violence attack..."
  – Jeff Manaso [02:26]

• “Britain has not had compulsory identity cards for ordinary citizens since shortly after World War II.”
  – Therese Crowley [04:05]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Visa Freeze & Public Charge Policy
  00:02 – 00:33

• Senate Investigation & Impeachment Articles
  00:33 – 01:27

• Ohio Double Murder Case
  02:13 – 02:59

• AI Deepfake Investigation
  02:59 – 03:28

• UK Digital ID Card Backlash
  03:28 – 04:05

---

Summary

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers a rapid overview of major U.S. and international headlines with a focus on the U.S. halting immigration visas from 75 countries to reassess public assistance risks, political friction over a viral video and impeachment efforts, a double murder investigation in Ohio, AI-driven deepfake harassment, and the UK’s retreat from digital ID mandates. The episode offers direct reporting and pointed commentary in Fox’s quick-paced, authoritative style.

Transcript

[Lisa Brady]

A freeze on visas. Lisa Brady, FOX News. The US State Department pausing the process for many countries while vetting procedures are reviewed.

[Fox News Reporter]

A memo out of the State Department seen by Fox News Digital says they're pausing visa processing for 75 countries to ensure applicants do not become a public charge. A public charge is someone who is likely to rely on taxpayer funded benefits like WIC or emergency Medicaid or certain programs funded by individual states. Determining whether one is a public charge can take into consideration one age, health and English proficiency.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jessica Rosenthal. The countries impacted include Somalia, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Yemen. The second Trump administration has revoked a record number of foreign visas, mostly people who overstayed tourist and business visas. A Senate Democrat under federal investigation over a video last year urging military members to ignore unlawful orders.

[Michigan Democrat Alyssa Slotkin]

Michigan Democrat Alyssa Slotkin says President Trump is using his political appointees at the Justice Department to follow through with threats.

[Fox News Reporter]

This is the president's playbook.

[Lisa Brady]

Playbook.

[Fox News Reporter]

Truth doesn't matter, facts don't matter, and anyone who disagrees with him becomes an enemy and he then weaponizes the federal government against them, Slotkin says.

[Michigan Democrat Alyssa Slotkin]

U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro has opened an investigation about a November video made by Slotkin and several other lawmakers that told service members to resist unlawful orders. At the time, President Trump called the video Seditious.

[Lisa Brady]

Fox's Jared Halpern @ the White House, Senator and retired Navy Captain Mark Kelly is suing the Pentagon over being censured for the video. Articles of impeachment introduced against the Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has treated the Constitution like a suggestion and our communities like a battlefield. New York Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, one of about 70 lawmakers supporting the effort so far. The Trump administration says Noem is removing violent criminals from the country. America is listening to Fox.

[Ainsley Earhart]

News. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life.

[Jeff Manasso]

Of Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort, understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to.

[Lisa Brady]

Podcasts. An update on a double murder in.

[Jeff Manasso]

Ohio. Columbus police say they believe they have the person responsible for the murders of Monique and Spencer Tempe December.

[Lisa Brady]

30Th. That person is Michael.

[Jeff Manasso]

McKee. Police Chief Elaine Bryant calling the double murder a targeted domestic violence attack with McKee's vehicle likely key evidence in the.

[Lisa Brady]

Case. The vehicle was located in Rockford, Illinois, and evidence was found that showed.

[Ainsley Earhart]

McKee in possession of the vehicle before.

[Jeff Manasso]

And after the homicides Monique Tepe was McKee's ex wife. They divorced nine years ago. Investigators are doing data searches through McKee's electronics as McKee awaits extradition from Illinois, where he lived and was captured back to Columbus. Jeff Manasso, Fox News.

[Lisa Brady]

California. Now investigating grok, an artificial intelligence model developed by Elon Musk's X AI over what the state attorney general calls an avalanche of reports about non consensual deep fake images being used to harass women and girls. Governments in multiple countries are already investigating. Musk says he's not aware of any naked, underage images generated by the chatbot. But the platform has announced changes. Britain's government backs off on mandatory ID cards after a.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Backlash. Prime Minister Keir Starmer reversing course so British citizens will not be required to show a mandatory digital ID card to get a job. Starmer's plan was to reduce illegal migration by making it harder for people to work in the underground economy and said the digital ID card would make it simpler to access health care and welfare. But the backlash was fast and furious in a country where personal liberties like free speech are already curtailed by the left and center government with further concern about putting people's info at risk. Britain has not had compulsory identity cards for ordinary citizens since shortly after World War.

[Lisa Brady]

II. Fox's Therese Crowley stocks remain lower. The Dow's down more than 200. I'm Lisa Brady, FOX.