President Donald Trump has ordered a significant pause on immigration applications. This directive affects nationals from 19 countries deemed “high-risk” by his administration.
Consequently, the order freezes the processing of green cards and citizenship requests. It also halts other immigration benefits for individuals from these specific nations.
This new restriction follows a shooting incident in Washington, D.C. last week. An Afghan national allegedly shot two National Guard troops.
Policy Details and Affected Nations
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) outlined the halt in a new policy memorandum.
According to the directive, the pause applies to nationals from countries already facing travel restrictions. The list includes 19 non-European nations:
- Africa: Somalia, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Sudan, Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
- Asia & Middle East: Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and Turkmenistan.
- Americas: Haiti, Venezuela, and Cuba.
Who is Affected?
The freeze specifically targets individuals from these nations who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021.
USCIS stated that these applicants must now undergo a “thorough re-review process.” The agency wants to assess any potential threats to national security or public safety.
Furthermore, the agency set a 90-day timeline. During this period, they will generate a prioritized list of individuals for review. If necessary, officials may refer cases to immigration enforcement for further action.
Immediate Impact and Rhetoric
This policy shift coincides with intensified rhetoric from President Trump. Recently, he directed sharp criticism toward the Somali community. Just days before the announcement, the President referred to Somalis as “garbage” and stated, “we don’t want them in our country.”
The real-world effects of the new order are already visible. Immigration attorneys reported immediate disruptions on Tuesday. Sadly, numerous clients saw their naturalization ceremonies and status interviews canceled abruptly without explanation.
A Broader Crackdown
Analysts view this pause as part of a wider strategy. The administration aims to tighten immigration controls significantly following the shooting.
Since the incident, the government has unveiled several measures to scrutinize immigrants:
- Asylum Freeze: USCIS announced last week that it is pausing all decisions on asylum cases.
- Afghan Visa Halt: The State Department suspended visa processing for Afghan nationals who assisted the U.S. war effort.
- Refugee Review: A separate memo indicated plans to review the files of all refugees admitted during the previous administration.
Officials argue these steps are necessary for national security. However, critics condemn the approach. They argue that targeting specific nationalities amounts to collective punishment for the actions of a single individual.
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