Trump administration pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries – The Globe and Mail
The Trump administration has temporarily stopped processing all immigration applications — including green cards and naturalizations — for people from 19 countries already under the U.S. travel ban. This pause is part of a broader, tougher immigration crackdown following the tragic shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House during Thanksgiving week.
The new policy was detailed in a memo posted on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. USCIS, the agency responsible for approving immigration benefits, says the pause will remain in place until its director, Joseph Edlow, decides to lift it.
Who Is Affected?
Earlier this year, the administration banned or restricted travel from 19 countries, calling them “high-risk.” These include:
Travel ban countries:
Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen
Restricted access countries:
Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela
Originally, the ban didn’t affect people from these countries who were already living in the U.S. But under the new directive, all immigrants from these countries — no matter when they arrived — will now face enhanced review and additional scrutiny.
Why This Sudden Pause?
According to USCIS, the shooting involving an Afghan national raised serious concerns about security risks. One National Guard member was killed, and another injured, prompting the administration to launch a complete reassessment of immigration cases connected to these countries.
USCIS stated that it will re-review all immigration benefits approved for individuals who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021. This may include new interviews or re-interviews to verify eligibility and security clearance.
What Happens Next?
Within the next 90 days, USCIS will create a priority list of cases that need further review. Some of these cases may be sent to immigration enforcement or other federal agencies if potential risks are found.
This pause comes alongside several other rapid policy changes:
- Green card applications for people from “countries of concern” are already being reexamined.
- All asylum decisions have been paused.
- U.S. visas for Afghans who supported the U.S. military effort are on hold.
- Refugees admitted during the Biden administration are also being re-reviewed.
Growing Criticism
Critics argue that the administration’s actions amount to “collective punishment” against immigrants, placing entire nationalities under suspicion because of one tragic incident. Meanwhile, the administration defends the decisions as necessary steps to protect national security.
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