US Freezes Immigration From 19 Countries: Green Cards, Citizenship Processes Halted

Washington, DC: The United States has paused immigration processing for applicants from 19 countries already under earlier travel restrictions, effectively halting green card applications, citizenship interviews, naturalisation ceremonies, and other immigration benefits. The New York Times reported that the Trump administration issued the freeze amid heightened scrutiny over national security.

Which Countries Are Affected?

The immigration pause impacts people from nations facing instability, conflict, or economic crises. The affected countries are:
Turkmenistan, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Libya, Chad, Sudan, Laos, Yemen, Togo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela.

Applicants from these countries arrived at interview centres this week only to find their appointments abruptly cancelled.

Policy Triggered by Recent Security Concerns

The move follows a shooting incident in Washington, DC, in which two National Guard members were attacked. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who received asylum in the US in 2021, has been charged with murder. The case has reinforced the administration’s push to tighten immigration controls.

Matthew Tragesser, spokesperson for USCIS, said the administration aims to ensure that “only the most trustworthy” individuals receive permanent residency or citizenship. “Citizenship is a privilege, not a right,” he emphasized.

What the Freeze Means for Immigrants

The suspension adds to a series of sweeping immigration changes rolled out in recent days:

• Re-verification of green cards issued to people from travel-ban countries
• Pause on decisions for asylum cases
• Review of asylum approvals granted under the Biden administration
• Shutdown of all visa processing for Afghanistan

These changes may impact:

• 1.5 million people with pending asylum applications
• 50,000+ individuals who received asylum under the Biden administration

Immigration lawyers say the sudden cancellations have created chaos. Texas-based attorney Ana Maria Schwartz reported that two Venezuelan clients had their interviews cancelled without explanation. She described the system as “a traffic jam that is only getting worse.”

The Department of Homeland Security maintains that the freeze is necessary for national security.