US halts immigration from 19 nations, delaying green cards
Trump administration pauses immigration from 19 already restricted countries
The Trump administration has temporarily halted immigration applications from people in 19 restricted countries, putting their plans on hold.
Trump Administration Freezes Immigration From 19 Nations, Halting Green Cards and Citizenship Processes
The Trump administration has enacted a sweeping pause on immigration applications from people in 19 countries that were already subject to travel restrictions earlier this year, The New York Times reported. The decision has created sudden turmoil for thousands of immigrants who had been waiting—many for years—for green card appointments, citizenship interviews, or naturalisation ceremonies.
For those affected, the halt came without warning. Many applicants arrived at immigration offices this week expecting long-scheduled interviews, only to be told that everything—from paperwork reviews to oath ceremonies—had been abruptly cancelled. Some families left in tears, unsure when or even whether their cases would resume.
The administration’s pause applies to people from a diverse group of nations, many of which are grappling with conflict, poverty, or political instability. The list includes:
Turkmenistan, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Libya, Chad, Sudan, Laos, Yemen, Togo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela.
For immigrants from these countries, the freeze touches nearly every major step in the U.S. immigration process. Green card interviews have been stopped. Naturalisation interviews—the final hurdle before earning U.S. citizenship—have been postponed indefinitely. Even oath ceremonies for individuals already approved for citizenship have been halted. Other immigration benefits, including work authorization adjustments, are also expected to face delays.
The suddenness of the announcement has left many in legal limbo. Some applicants had spent years gathering documents, passing background checks, learning English, and preparing for their civics exams. Now their futures hinge on a process that has no clear timeline for restarting.
A Response Triggered by a High-Profile Case
The freeze follows a recent violent incident in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were killed in a shooting. in 2021 under a special government program designed to help Afghans who assisted U.S. forces. He was granted asylum in April.
Lakanwal has been charged with murder but has pleaded not guilty. The case has intensified debate in Washington over whether the U.S. immigration system adequately screens individuals from high-risk countries. Administration officials have cited the attack as evidence that existing vetting procedures need to be tightened.
As emotions flared, the White House moved quickly. Within days, officials began rolling out a series of new restrictions affecting asylum seekers, green card applicants, and people from countries under the existing travel bans.
“Only the Most Trustworthy” Should Be Approved, Officials Say
A spokesperson for U.S. the best of the best. Citizenship is a privilege, not a right.”
Officials say the pause is part of a wider security overhaul aimed at examining every stage of the immigration process. That includes reviewing background checks, reassessing the criteria for asylum, and re-evaluating cases approved under the Biden administration.
The Department of Homeland Security says these steps are necessary to ensure that individuals who gain permanent residency or citizenship pose no risk. Critics, however, argue that much of the new scrutiny appears politically motivated and disproportionately affects people from countries already facing hardship.
The freeze on immigration benefits is only one part of a broader effort by the administration to reshape the immigration landscape. In recent days, officials have:
- Started rechecking green cards issued to people from travel-ban countries
- Paused decisions on pending asylum cases
- Launched a review of asylum approvals granted under President Biden
- Halted all visas from Afghanistan
- Signaled additional restrictions that may follow in the coming weeks
For many immigrants, the combined effect of these measures is devastating. Families waiting to reunite remain separated. Applicants who had spent years working toward citizenship now find themselves stalled midway through the process. Some fear their applications could be denied entirely if new standards are applied retroactively.
Immigration attorneys say they have been inundated with calls from panicked clients fearful that their long-awaited opportunities are slipping away. Community organizations have begun hosting emergency meetings to explain the policy changes and advise people on what to expect next.
Advocates warn that the freeze could push people into deeper uncertainty. Many immigrants rely on pending applications to maintain legal status or work authorization. If delays stretch for months, they may face the risk of losing jobs, benefits, or even the right to remain in the country.
For now, the administration has offered no timeline for when the pause will be lifted. As the policy takes hold, thousands from the 19 affected nations wait anxiously—with dreams of citizenship and permanent residency suddenly put on hold.