U.S. Halts Immigration and Naturalization for Migrants From 19 Nations Under New USCIS GuidanceWASHINGTON, D.C. — In a sweeping and immediate policy shift, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has frozen all immigration and naturalization processes for migrants originating from 19 so-called “travel ban” or “countries of concern.”The directive, which took effect immediately, pauses green card approvals, citizenship applications, naturalization ceremonies, and all pending legal immigration procedures for affected nationals.Citizenship Ceremonies Already CanceledAccording to internal guidance reviewed by immigration officials, the halt affects even applicants who have already passed the U.S. citizenship test and were awaiting their oath ceremony.Cancellation notices are already being sent, leaving thousands in limbo despite having completed every legal requirement.Applies to Migrants Who Arrived After January 20, 2021The new rule targets migrants who entered the United States after January 20, 2021, the date of President Joe Biden’s inauguration.Every individual from the listed 19 countries must undergo a new security reassessment.All Applicants to Be Re-InterviewedUnder the guidance:Each migrant from the 19 nations will be re-interviewed on a case-by-case basisUSCIS officers will conduct enhanced national security screeningApproval of green cards or citizenship will be paused until the case is clearedNaturalization ceremonies cannot proceed without additional security sign-offOfficials say the policy aims to identify “national security threats,” but critics argue the move amounts to a mass suspension of legal immigration for entire populations.19 Affected “Travel Ban” CountriesWhile USCIS has not yet published an official list, the 19 nations are expected to mirror previous “travel ban” or “countries of concern” categories—historically including:SomaliaYemenSyriaAfghanistanIranIraqSudanLibyaNigeriaEritreaChadMyanmarLebanonPakistanKyrgyzstanTanzaniaNorth KoreaVenezuela (certain categories)Additional African and Middle Eastern nations that have been periodically listed in DHS security advisoriesPotential Impact: Tens of Thousands AffectedImmigration attorneys warn that this could immediately hit:Naturalization applicants with completed filesGreen card applicants awaiting final adjudicationRefugees and asylees upgrading to permanent residencyFamily-based and employment-based petitioners from the listed statesAnalysts say the rule could delay cases for months or years, depending on how broadly security checks are applied.A Precedent-Setting MoveThe decision marks one of the most expansive federal slowdowns on legal immigration in modern U.S. history, extending beyond previous “travel ban” measures—which targeted visas but did not halt naturalization ceremonies for approved applicants.Immigration advocates are preparing for legal challenges, calling the measure “a de facto blanket suspension of citizenship for certain nationalities.”
