The US government has announced a full pause on immigration applications, including permanent residency (green cards) and citizenship, for people from 19 non‑European countries. The move comes days after a shooting near Washington, D.C., in which a former Afghan asylum recipient is accused of killing one National Guard member and injuring another.
The pause covers all pending applications. Immigrants from the listed countries may now face a full re‑review, including new or repeat interviews, before any decision is reached.
US Immigration Pause: Which Countries are Affected?
The 19 nations affected by the pause are:
- Afghanistan
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
If you’re from one of these countries and had applied for US immigration benefits, your application is now on hold.
US Immigration Pause: Why is the US doing this now?
The new policy is tied to national security and public safety concerns. The administration says it needs a “thorough re‑review” of pending cases from the listed countries, given potential threat risks.
The shooting of the National Guard member in Washington served as a trigger for accelerating these stricter immigration measures. Officials argue the changes build on earlier travel bans issued in June 2025, making the restrictions more comprehensive.
US Immigration Pause: What this means for people applying now?
All pending green‑card or citizenship applications from affected countries are put on hold. Applicants may need to undergo new interviews or re‑interviews. The policy applies even to applications filed before the pause.
Visa issuances are also affected, not just immigrant processes, though there are some narrow exceptions. For many migrants and asylum seekers, this means uncertainty, delays, and indefinite waiting. Legal experts warn that backlogs and cancellations could rise sharply.
US Immigration Pause: What critics are saying?
Advocates and civil rights groups have criticized the move as collective punishment based on nationality. They argue it unfairly punishes thousands of innocent applicants for the acts of a few.
They also warn that the policy could violate long‑standing immigration laws and international commitments, especially for refugees or asylum-seekers.
Upcoming Changes in US Immigration Policy
Applicants from the 19 countries will need to follow updates closely; new guidance may define who needs re‑interview and which cases might be processed under exceptions.
Legal challenges are expected courts might be asked to judge whether the blanket pause is lawful or discriminatory. The policy could expand: there are reports the list might grow depending on future national security assessments.
