The United States government has temporarily halted immigration applications from 19 countries deemed “high-risk” by the administration. This move comes after a recent shooting incident in Washington involving a suspect of Afghan nationality. The policy change, outlined in a memo on the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, affects green card requests and US citizenship processing for individuals from these countries.
The 19 countries subject to the pause include Afghanistan, Somalia, and other non-European nations. Some of these countries are already facing partial or full travel bans imposed since June. The new policy requires immigrants from these countries to undergo a thorough re-review process to assess national security and public safety threats. This applies to all individuals from high-risk countries who entered the US on or after January 20, 2021.
Within 90 days, the USCIS will create a prioritized list of people for review, which may lead to referrals to immigration enforcement or other law enforcement agencies. Immigration lawyers have reported cancellations of naturalization ceremonies and interviews for immigration status, with individuals being turned away without explanation. The affected countries also include Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Sudan, Burundi, Sierra Leone, Togo, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, Yemen, Cuba, Laos, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
The changes have significantly impacted the US’s remaining legal immigration pathways. Analysts suggest that the application pause indicates the administration’s continued efforts to tighten immigration rules. Since the shooting incident, the administration has announced several decisions aimed at scrutinizing immigrants already in the country and those seeking to enter the US. The USCIS has also paused asylum decisions, and the State Department has halted visas for Afghans who assisted the US war effort.
The administration’s actions have drawn criticism, with some arguing that they amount to collective punishment for immigrants. The pause on immigration applications is the latest development in the US government’s ongoing efforts to reform its immigration policies. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact individuals and families affected by the policy. The US government’s next steps in addressing immigration and national security concerns will be closely watched by international observers and stakeholders.
