The United States has suspended the processing of all immigration applications from 19 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, citing enhanced national security requirements.
The decision, announced Tuesday, comes in the wake of last week’s attack on National Guard members in Washington, in which an Afghan national was arrested as a suspect.
Under the new directive, all applicants from the affected countries will undergo an expanded and comprehensive vetting process. The administration has not indicated how long the suspension will last or whether additional countries may be added, dw.com reports.
Officials said the measures aim to reinforce the integrity of the immigration system and close what they described as “security gaps.” Critics warn that the policy will leave thousands of applicants in legal uncertainty as interviews, screenings, and pending cases are placed on hold.
The list of countries facing the strictest restrictions includes Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen — all of which had already been subject to wide-ranging travel constraints.
Additional countries facing expanded scrutiny include Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Sharvari Dalal-Dheini, senior director of government relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said the organization has received reports of cancelled naturalization interviews, oath ceremonies, and adjustment-of-status appointments involving applicants from the designated countries.
Since returning to office in January, President Donald Trump has escalated immigration enforcement efforts, deploying additional federal officers to major cities and tightening asylum access along the US-Mexico border.
While deportations have been a central focus, the latest policy marks a significant expansion of restrictions on legal immigration.
Meanwhile, federal authorities are reportedly preparing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minnesota targeting Somali immigrants with final deportation orders.
The action is expected to focus on individuals in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, where community leaders say recent rhetoric from President Trump has heightened fears of profiling and fueled local tension.
