THE DECISION TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY AND AFFECTS APPLICANTS FROM REGIONS FACING SECURITY AND VERIFICATION CHALLENGES
USCIS has suspended immigration and naturalization processing for applicants from 19 countries, citing security and verification concerns.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced Tuesday that it has suspended all immigration and naturalization procedures for individuals originating from 19 countries, effective immediately. The decision impacts applicants at various stages of the immigration process, from visa petitions to permanent residency and citizenship interviews.
The countries listed in the suspension include: Afghanistan, Birmania (Myanmar), Burundi, Chad, Cuba, Guinea Ecuatorial, Eritrea, Haití, Irán, Laos, Libia, República del Congo, Sierra Leona, Somalia, Sudán, Togo, Turkmenistán, Venezuela y Yemen.
Officials say the suspension is tied to security vetting limitations, concerns over identity verification, and instability within local documentation systems. USCIS emphasized that the freeze is not necessarily permanent and could be lifted if conditions improve or additional verification pathways become available.
The agency stated that pending applications from these countries will be placed on hold until further notice. Emergency humanitarian cases will be evaluated individually, but standard processing has been halted across the board.
Immigration advocates criticized the measure, calling it overly broad and potentially harmful to individuals fleeing conflict or political repression. Supporters argue the suspension is necessary to protect national security while USCIS updates its screening mechanisms.
The Department of Homeland Security is expected to release additional guidance in the coming days, outlining exceptions, appeals procedures and estimated timelines for review.
