Immigration Processing Halted for Applicants From 19 High-Risk Nations

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced Thursday they are stopping processing of applications from nationals of 19 countries identified in President Donald Trump’s travel-ban proclamation issued last June.

The directive affects all forms processed by USCIS, including green card petitions, naturalization requests, asylum-related filings, work permits, and travel documents. Legal permanent residents awaiting citizenship ceremonies from these nations have also had their ceremonies paused indefinitely pending further guidance.

A Department of Homeland Security official confirmed the halt but emphasized the administration’s commitment to “the highest standards of screening” following concerns about inadequate vetting raised by recent events in Washington D.C., including an attack on National Guard members and a case involving an Afghan national granted asylum despite entering under post-9/11 resettlement protocols.

The decision follows broader changes announced by the White House, which ordered reviews of green cards issued to nationals from travel-ban countries, paused nationwide asylum decisions, and reassessed all Biden-era grants.