The move affects visa applicants, asylum seekers, and even permanent residents who were only steps away from becoming U.S. citizens.
In a memo addressed to its workforce, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) instructed officers to stop processing all pending cases connected to individuals from the affected nations.
In a memo addressed to its workforce, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) instructed officers to stop processing all pending cases connected to individuals from the affected nations.
The directive covers green card applications, asylum claims, and final citizenship procedures that were already underway.
The order follows a June proclamation—Presidential Proclamation 10949—which introduced enhanced screening for foreign nationals deemed potential security threats.
The order follows a June proclamation—Presidential Proclamation 10949—which introduced enhanced screening for foreign nationals deemed potential security threats.
The new suspension marks an expansion of that policy, signalling another aggressive step in the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to restrict legal immigration pathways.
According to the internal USCIS communication, the hold is immediate and comprehensive. Officers are required to:
Pause adjudication of all Form I-589, the main application used by asylum seekers.
Suspended processing of any pending immigration benefits for nationals from the 19 listed countries.
Conduct a thorough re-examination of benefits that were already approved for applicants from those countries who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021.
The memo notes that the suspension will remain in place while the government develops new screening guidelines. This means that immigration applicants who were close to receiving documents may now face months—or even years—of uncertainty.
Notably, the suspension even affects applicants who had completed every step of the naturalization process and were waiting to take the citizenship oath.
Nationals from the following 19 countries are impacted by the suspension:
Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Somalia, which has historically faced strict U.S. travel restrictions, is once again at the center of Washington’s immigration debate.
According to the internal USCIS communication, the hold is immediate and comprehensive. Officers are required to:
Pause adjudication of all Form I-589, the main application used by asylum seekers.
Suspended processing of any pending immigration benefits for nationals from the 19 listed countries.
Conduct a thorough re-examination of benefits that were already approved for applicants from those countries who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021.
The memo notes that the suspension will remain in place while the government develops new screening guidelines. This means that immigration applicants who were close to receiving documents may now face months—or even years—of uncertainty.
Notably, the suspension even affects applicants who had completed every step of the naturalization process and were waiting to take the citizenship oath.
Nationals from the following 19 countries are impacted by the suspension:
Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Somalia, which has historically faced strict U.S. travel restrictions, is once again at the center of Washington’s immigration debate.
The announcement triggered immediate concern within its diaspora, many of whom had pending paperwork with USCIS.
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, told American media outlets that she had recommended additional countries for inclusion on the list.
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, told American media outlets that she had recommended additional countries for inclusion on the list.
Although she did not disclose which nations were under consideration, she insisted the administration was prioritizing national security above all else.
The decision aligns with Trump’s long-standing campaign promise to implement stronger vetting procedures for immigrants from countries perceived to pose security risks.
Supporters of the policy argue it is necessary to protect Americans, while critics say the move unfairly targets citizens of developing nations and disrupts families with long-standing ties to the U.S.
Independent geopolitical analyst Aly-Khan Satchu says the U.S. appears to be shifting toward a more isolationist posture, with a clear goal of reducing the number of immigrants entering the country.
“The U.S. is looking to downsize the number of foreign nationals operating under this regime,” Satchu noted.
Independent geopolitical analyst Aly-Khan Satchu says the U.S. appears to be shifting toward a more isolationist posture, with a clear goal of reducing the number of immigrants entering the country.
“The U.S. is looking to downsize the number of foreign nationals operating under this regime,” Satchu noted.
He added that the administration is likely to introduce even tougher restrictions, particularly for immigrants from regions Washington considers unstable or hostile.
Observers believe the policy reflects a broader reorientation of America’s foreign policy, with immigration increasingly being used as a tool to project political and security priorities.
Financial Incentives for Self-Deportation
The halt in visa and green-card processing comes just days after the Trump administration revived a controversial offer encouraging undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country.
Individuals willing to self-deport are being promised US$1,000 (about KSh 129,300) as an incentive.
Applicants must submit their information using the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mobile app and wait for verification.
Applicants must submit their information using the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mobile app and wait for verification.
The initiative drew sharp reactions globally, with some critics calling it coercive and inhumane, while others viewed it as a pragmatic solution to long-standing immigration backlogs.
International human rights groups have raised concerns over the latest decision, arguing that it disproportionately affects refugees fleeing war, political turmoil, and persecution.
International human rights groups have raised concerns over the latest decision, arguing that it disproportionately affects refugees fleeing war, political turmoil, and persecution.
Some of the affected nations—such as Somalia, Yemen, and Afghanistan—are grappling with severe humanitarian crises, making family reunification and relocation efforts crucial.
Diplomatic tensions may also rise, especially as some of the impacted countries have previously criticized the U.S. for implementing blanket restrictions without individualized risk assessments.
Others, like South Africa, have openly condemned earlier policies of the Trump administration, accusing Washington of using travel bans as geopolitical pressure tools.
Diplomatic tensions may also rise, especially as some of the impacted countries have previously criticized the U.S. for implementing blanket restrictions without individualized risk assessments.
Others, like South Africa, have openly condemned earlier policies of the Trump administration, accusing Washington of using travel bans as geopolitical pressure tools.
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