USCIS has paused all immigration benefit decisions (green cards, citizenship, etc.) for applicants from 19 high-risk countries per internal guidance issued December 2, 2025, plus a full halt on affirmative asylum adjudications for all nationalities. The indefinite suspension—linked to a National Guard shooting by an Afghan suspect—requires re-vetting (possible interviews) before resuming; USCIS Director decides lift.
Affected Countries (19 Total)
| Category | Countries |
|---|---|
| Full/Partial Bans | Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen |
| Partial | Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela |
Impacts ~200,000+ pending cases; naturalization ceremonies halted too.
Scope of Pause
-
Immigration Benefits: All forms (I-485 green cards, N-400 citizenship) paused at decision stage; interviews/reviews continue.
-
Asylum: All I-589 affirmative cases held nationwide (no nationality limit).
-
Re-review: Post-Biden entries (Jan 2021+) from these countries prioritized.
DHS eyes expanding to 30+ countries.
Background
Follows June partial travel ban; triggered by Nov 2025 DC shooting (one Guard killed). Trump vowed “permanent pause” on “third-world” migration.
SOURCE
FAQs
Q1: Which countries are paused?
19 high-risk (Afghanistan, Somalia, etc.); full list above.
Q2: Asylum affected?
Yes—all nationalities paused indefinitely.
Q3: How long?
Indefinite; USCIS Director lifts via memo.
