The United States government has temporarily stopped processing all immigration applications from citizens of 19 non-European countries, following a new security directive issued on December 2, 2025, according to Reuters.
The halt covers green card petitions, naturalization requests, asylum filings, work-permit applications, and other immigration benefits. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said the pause will remain in place until a fresh security review is completed.
USCIS stated that applications from the affected countries will undergo an additional national-security review before any further processing.
Countries Affected by the Suspension
The pause applies to nationals of the following 19 countries:
Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
These countries were previously included in expanded travel-restriction lists earlier this year.
What It Means for Applicants
- Interviews, biometrics appointments, and naturalization oath ceremonies have been postponed indefinitely.
- Applicants who had already cleared security checks will still be required to undergo additional review.
- USCIS has not given a date for when processing will resume.
Broader Policy Context
The decision is part of a wider tightening of U.S. immigration policies. Critics warn that the suspension could place thousands of families in legal uncertainty and delay asylum protection for vulnerable individuals.
Human-rights groups say the sweeping freeze risks violating international commitments on refugee rights, while government officials argue that the step is necessary for national security.
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