In a sudden policy escalation, the Trump administration has temporarily halted all immigration applications — including green cards, US citizenship, and other immigration benefits — for people belonging to 19 non-European countries.
The government claims the pause is necessary to reassess “national security and public safety risks,” but the move has sparked widespread concern among immigration advocates.
A New Layer of Restrictions
The suspension applies to individuals from countries already affected by the partial travel ban imposed earlier in June. Many of these nations have long struggled with instability, conflict, or strained diplomatic relations with the US. The newly blocked list includes Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Haiti, Iran, Libya, and others.
According to the official memorandum, the decision was influenced by the recent attack on US National Guard members in Washington, during which an Afghan national was arrested. One Guard member was killed, and another critically injured — an incident now being used to justify sweeping immigration restrictions.
Harsh Rhetoric Heightens Fears
President Donald has intensified his political messaging around immigration in recent weeks, and he has been using sharper language, particularly toward Somali immigrants. His comments, like calling them “garbage” and saying “we don’t want them in our country,” have become the cause of heavy criticism for fueling xenophobia and targeting vulnerable sectors or communities.
Since returning to the office in January, Trump has aggressively given priority to immigration enforcement, deploying federal agents to major cities and increasing deportations. While his administration has long focused on blocking irregular migration, this new action signals a broader attempt to reshape legal immigration pathways as well.
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Who Is Affected?
The list of countries under the expanded pause includes:
Most restricted (full entry suspensions earlier):
Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen.
Partially restricted earlier:
Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela.
Under the new directive, all pending applications from immigrants belonging to these countries will undergo a full security re-review. This may include additional interviews or re-interviews, significantly delaying cases that were already in process.
Real-World Impact on Immigrant Lives
Immigration lawyers keep on claiming that the effects are already being felt. Sharvari Dalal-Dheini, senior director at the American Immigration Lawyers Association, confirmed reports of cancelled naturalization ceremonies, delayed citizenship interviews, and postponed adjustment-of-status appointments. Many applicants had spent months — even years — waiting for these milestones.
For affected immigrants, the pause means renewed uncertainty, extended separation from families, and disruption of their path toward stability and belonging in the United States.
As the policy advances towards execution, immigrant communities and legal experts keep on giving warning that the move may
- Deepen fears
- Politicize national-security concerns
- Further transform America’s long-standing immigration system