President Donald Trump has halted immigration applications from 19 countries, with the potential for more nations to be included in the freeze. The current US administration has ceased green card and citizenship processes for individuals from countries previously listed in a travel ban issued by Trump in June. These nations include some of the world’s most impoverished and vulnerable, with several being war-torn. The administration cites terrorism threats and national security concerns as reasons for this action, hinting at a possible expansion of the list.
A memo from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a hold on green card and citizenship applications from the 19 identified nations, stating that benefit requests from these countries will also be paused. Among the countries newly subjected to the travel ban are Afghanistan, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Access restrictions have also been imposed on individuals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
The USCIS issued a memo indicating a need for a comprehensive reevaluation and potential interviews for individuals from high-risk countries who entered the US after January 20, 2021. The agency justified the processing delays as necessary to uphold national security obligations.
Reports from immigration lawyers suggest immediate enforcement of the new measures, with citizenship ceremonies and immigration interviews being canceled. Sources within the Department of Homeland Security hint at a possible expansion of the ban to over 30 countries, although the exact nations affected remain undisclosed.
A USCIS spokesperson emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring that only the most qualified individuals attain citizenship, presenting it as a privilege rather than a right. This development follows Trump’s announcement to halt all asylum decisions in response to the shooting of National Guard soldiers in Washington DC by Afghan asylum recipient Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
Director of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Joseph B. Edlow, stated that all asylum decisions have been suspended until thorough vetting and screening processes are in place to prioritize American safety.