What's happened
As of early December 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has paused green card, citizenship, and asylum applications from nationals of 19 countries previously designated as high-risk under a 2025 travel ban. This follows a November attack in Washington by an Afghan national granted asylum. USCIS will conduct comprehensive reviews and interviews for immigrants from these countries who entered since January 2021, with no set date to lift the pause.
What's behind the headline?
Comprehensive Immigration Review Reflects Heightened Security Concerns
The USCIS's sweeping pause on immigration benefits for nationals from 19 countries signals a significant shift in US immigration enforcement, driven by national security priorities. The move extends beyond new applicants to those already residing in the US, marking a departure from previous policies that largely exempted existing immigrants from travel bans.
Political and Security Drivers
This policy is closely tied to President Trump's administration, which originally imposed the travel bans and now demands rigorous vetting. The recent attack by an Afghan national granted asylum under the Biden administration's evacuation program has been used to justify intensified scrutiny, reflecting a broader political agenda emphasizing security over immigration access.
Impact on Immigrants and Communities
The pause affects over 1.4 million people with pending applications, causing delays and uncertainty. It risks stigmatizing entire nationalities by associating them with security threats, potentially fueling xenophobia and undermining integration efforts.
Future Outlook
USCIS director Joseph Edlow controls the timeline for lifting the pause, but no clear end date is provided. The agency plans to prioritize reviews and may refer cases to enforcement agencies, indicating possible increased deportations or detentions. The policy could expand to include more countries, further tightening immigration controls.
Broader Implications
This development underscores the tension between national security and immigration rights in US policy. It highlights how isolated incidents can reshape immigration frameworks, with lasting consequences for affected populations and US international relations.
What the papers say
The New York Post's Samuel Chamberlain detailed the USCIS memo emphasizing a "comprehensive re-review" of immigrants from 19 countries, citing the recent Washington shooting as a catalyst. The memo states, "USCIS has determined that the burden of processing delays... is necessary and appropriate... to protect and preserve national security." France 24 and The New Arab both highlighted that the pause affects immigrants already in the US, regardless of arrival date, and that the agency will create a prioritized review list within 90 days. Sky News reported that over 1.4 million pending asylum applications could be impacted, with USCIS director Joseph Edlow stating on social media that "nothing is off the table until every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible." All Africa noted the suspension coincides with renewed anti-Somali rhetoric from President Trump, raising fears of enforcement operations in Minnesota. The Mirror reported that the ban could expand beyond the current 19 countries, with a Department of Homeland Security source suggesting the list might grow to over 30 nations. These sources collectively illustrate a tightening of immigration policy framed around security concerns, with significant operational and social consequences.
How we got here
In June 2025, the US government imposed travel bans and restrictions on 19 countries citing national security concerns. These countries include Afghanistan, Venezuela, Cuba, and others. The policy initially targeted new arrivals but now extends to immigrants already in the US. The recent shooting of two National Guard soldiers by an Afghan asylum recipient intensified scrutiny and prompted USCIS to halt immigration benefits processing for these nationals.
Go deeper
- Which countries are affected by the USCIS immigration pause?
- What triggered the US government to halt immigration benefits processing?
- How will this pause impact immigrants currently living in the US?
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