• The Trump administration pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries identified as high-risk.
• The pause follows a shooting incident involving two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.
• Immigrants from these countries will face additional scrutiny in their applications.
• The countries affected include Afghanistan, Somalia, Chad, and Yemen.
• Concerns about national security and public safety led to this decision.

The Trump administration announced on Tuesday a halt to all immigration applications from 19 non-European nations labeled as “high-risk.” This decision includes green card requests and U.S. citizenship processing, reflecting ongoing concerns over national security, particularly after a recent shooting incident involving two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.

Immigration applications from citizens of countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Chad, and Yemen will be subjected to a comprehensive re-review, including possible interviews, as part of the new measures outlined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The decision follows a violent incident linked to an Afghan national, who allegedly killed one National Guard member and injured another in a shooting that spurred heightened scrutiny of immigrants from these nations.

The list of affected countries encompasses nations subjected to previous travel bans, which were imposed in June 2023, citing similar national security concerns. This includes nations like Burundi, Cuba, Laos, and Venezuela. The recent policy shifts indicate an increased emphasis on legal immigration control by the current administration.

In response to the suspension, USCIS has also indicated that they will halt all asylum decisions for individuals from these countries. Furthermore, some citizens awaiting naturalization have reported cancellations of oath ceremonies and interviews without prior notice.