Trump Freezes Green Cards, Naturalizations From 19 ‘High-Risk’ Countries/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration has frozen immigration processing, including green cards and naturalizations, for migrants from 19 countries labeled “high-risk.” The move follows a deadly shooting involving an Afghan national, prompting heightened scrutiny of immigrants already in the U.S. Critics argue the policy targets entire communities unfairly and lacks legal justification.
Travel-Ban Immigration Freeze Quick Looks
- USCIS paused immigration processing for 19 travel-ban nations
- Includes green cards, naturalizations, and benefit approvals
- Triggered by deadly shooting involving Afghan national near White House
- Countries affected span Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Caribbean
- Includes Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, and more
- Review includes immigrants already in the U.S. post-January 2021
- Policy applies retroactively to Biden-era arrivals
- Critics say it amounts to collective punishment based on nationality
Deep Look: Trump Administration Suspends Immigration Processing for 19 Nations Amid Security Review
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the wake of a deadly shooting involving an Afghan national, the Trump administration has suspended all immigration benefit applications — including green cards and naturalizations — for individuals from 19 nations previously designated under the administration’s travel ban list. The sweeping decision, announced by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), marks one of the broadest crackdowns on immigration in recent years.
According to a policy memo released Tuesday, the freeze halts all adjudication of immigration benefits for nationals of the listed countries, affecting both those seeking to enter the U.S. and those already living within its borders. The move comes amid growing security concerns following the Thanksgiving week shooting of two National Guard soldiers, one fatally, near the White House.
What the New Policy Entails
The policy memo, signed by USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, outlines a “pause” on all pending immigration decisions for individuals from the 19 targeted nations. These include green card petitions, naturalization applications, and other immigration-related benefits. The pause has no defined end date and will remain in effect until Edlow lifts it.
The action goes beyond previously implemented travel bans by applying retroactively to individuals already in the U.S. since January 20, 2021 — the date President Joe Biden took office.
“This is not just about who is trying to come in — it’s about who is already here,” the memo states, emphasizing a full re-review of all benefit applications and approvals for those from the affected countries.
Nations Targeted in the Freeze
The 19 nations fall into two categories under the Trump administration’s classification:
Full Travel Ban Nations (12):
Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen
Restricted Access Nations (7):
Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela
Previously, individuals from these countries who were already present in the U.S. were exempt from the ban’s effects. But under the new directive, all such individuals are now subject to further scrutiny, possible interviews or re-interviews, and referral to enforcement agencies if deemed necessary.
Justification Cites National Security Concerns
USCIS attributed the decision to concerns about fraud and potential threats to national security. The agency highlighted the recent shooting involving an Afghan immigrant as the tipping point for reassessing immigration policies tied to “high-risk” nations.
“In light of identified concerns and the threat to the American people, USCIS has determined that a comprehensive re-review is necessary,” the memo said.
The agency has been instructed to develop a prioritized review list within 90 days. This list will focus on individuals from these countries who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration and who received approved immigration benefits.
The agency stopped short of specifying how many individuals might be affected or how long the review process might take.
Asylum and Refugee Programs Also Impacted
The halt is part of a broader wave of immigration changes rolled out since the shooting. Last week, USCIS also announced a pause on all asylum decisions. The State Department followed suit by halting visa processing for Afghans who supported U.S. military efforts during the war.
Additionally, USCIS said it would re-examine the files of all refugees admitted to the U.S. during Biden’s term. Critics argue these measures are politically motivated and amount to a blanket policy that unfairly targets entire nationalities based on isolated incidents.
Legal and Ethical Pushback
Immigrant advocacy groups and legal experts condemned the move as discriminatory and a possible violation of constitutional protections.
“This is collective punishment masquerading as national security policy,” said a spokesperson from the American Immigration Lawyers Association. “It treats entire nationalities as suspect based on a single event, undermining due process and America’s humanitarian obligations.”
Civil rights organizations have pointed out that no due process mechanism has been offered for affected individuals, many of whom have lived in the U.S. for years, paid taxes, and contributed to their communities.
Political Implications Ahead of 2026
The announcement comes amid broader Trump administration efforts to overhaul the U.S. immigration system in advance of the 2026 elections. Immigration remains a central issue in Trump’s campaign messaging, and recent policy shifts suggest a hardline stance will continue to define his platform.
By linking national security incidents with immigration reforms, the administration is sending a clear message: stricter immigration policies will remain a cornerstone of its governance model.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.