Wayne Lumbasi
The United States has paused all immigration applications from 19 non-European countries, a move that has immediately placed thousands of applicants in uncertainty.
The directive, issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, temporarily stops the processing of green cards, citizenship applications, and adjustment-of-status cases for people from the affected nations. It expands the scope of earlier travel restrictions and brings legal immigration channels from these countries to a halt.
The pause covers nations previously listed under full or partial entry restrictions. Those fully affected include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and others. Countries facing limited restrictions such as Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela are also included, resulting in all pending applications from their nationals being put on hold without a set timeline.
Under the new instructions, individuals who had already undergone interviews, biometric checks or completed several stages of vetting will not move forward until additional reviews are completed.
Applicants preparing for naturalization ceremonies or final interviews have reported sudden cancellations, while others say their cases show no signs of progress. Immigration officers have been directed to subject all affected files to renewed scrutiny, with the government citing national security and public safety concerns.
The decision follows rising pressure after a recent shooting incident in the U.S. capital involving an Afghan man who had been granted asylum. Officials said the event exposed gaps in vetting processes and called for stronger safeguards. Since returning to office, the administration has pushed for a more security-focused approach to immigration, increasing deportation efforts and tightening both asylum and legal entry pathways. The latest pause reflects that shift and signals further changes could follow.
The announcement has caused distress among immigrant communities. Families hoping for reunification now face delays with no clear end, and many who have waited for years are unsure of their status. Lawyers across the country report a surge of inquiries from applicants seeking clarity on their cases. Legal-aid organizations warn that the broad nature of the suspension leaves entire populations affected rather than identifying individual risks.
For now, the government says the pause will stay in place as security reviews continue, but no timeline has been provided. This leaves thousands of students, workers, asylum seekers and long-time residents pursuing citizenship in a difficult and uncertain position.
THE SOMALI ANGLE
President Donald Trump sparked outrage after declaring that he does not want Somali immigrants in the United States. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Trump described Somalia as “a country … no good” and said Somali residents in the U.S. “contribute nothing,” urging them to return to their homeland. The remarks have drawn widespread condemnation as dehumanizing and discriminatory, raising concerns about the potential impact on Somali communities across the country, particularly in states with large populations like Minnesota.
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