Trump Administration Pauses Immigration Applications for 19 Countries on Travel Ban List

Trump Administration Pauses Immigration Applications for 19 Countries on Travel Ban List

In one of the most far-reaching actions of Donald Trump’s second term, the pause on immigration applications will affect those inside the U.S. from banned countries who hold green cards, work permits, and those approaching citizenship.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sent an internal memo instructing officers to cease making final decisions on all immigration applications from those countries, including green cards, work permits, and citizenship applications. They also told officers to cancel naturalization ceremonies that were already planned. The order came after a deadly shooting in Washington, D.C., and the administration once again linked immigration to broader issues of safety and social stability.

The pause is similar to the travel ban that took effect in June in 19 states and is occurring concurrently with a nationwide halt on asylum decisions. USCIS has also been instructed to reevaluate green cards issued to individuals from the listed countries, particularly those who arrived in the United States within the last few years. Officials say the change is for better screening and stress that citizenship is a privilege. Lawyers and advocates, on the other hand, note a significant increase in current restrictions that extend deeply into the legal immigration process.

Civil rights groups say that the measures are a de facto implementation of the President’s promise to stop migration from so-called “third-world countries.” They also say that many applicants who have spent years meeting legal requirements will now have to wait longer and with less certainty.

Who is affected, and what countries are on the list?

If you are from one of the 19 Countries on the Travel Ban List

First, people from the 19 countries with travel bans who have immigration applications still pending will be affected by the change. Their application will be paused until further notice. This includes green cards based on family or work, humanitarian and protection cases, naturalization, travel documents, and related applications.  

The internal guidance lists various types of forms where processing is, in effect, paused for those who are from any one of 19 countries on the travel ban list. This includes applications for changing status, obtaining a new or replacement green card, securing a travel permit, and removing conditions on residence. It also makes it clear that this list is not exhaustive.

• The countries that were banned in June and are now on hold for processing are: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen, and Cuba.

Asylum Seekers

Second, the separate freeze on asylum decisions affects asylum seekers from all over the world.  People can still file new claims, but there is no clear timeline on when pending claims will be decided. This will grind a congested system to a halt.

Asylum seekers from any country must now prepare for a long time without a final decision on their claim. This means they will have to deal with the uncertainty that comes with not knowing what will happen to their work, family life, and long-term plans.

How the ‘pause’ affects people who are already in the US (and who are from banned countries)

The effect on people who already live in the US depends on their current situation.

Green Card Holders

Green card holders from the listed countries are not automatically losing their permanent residence. However, their cases may be selected for further review. If officials suspect there may be security or eligibility issues, some individuals may be asked to return for additional interviews or provide more documentation. 

Those Applying for Citizenship by Naturalization

Those who are close to getting citizenship face a pause on activity if they are from one of the banned nations. Interviews and oath ceremonies for individuals from 19 countries may be cancelled or rescheduled for a later date with little notice, even if the applicants have already resided in the country for years, passed security checks, and completed other steps in the process.  

For many people, the naturalization ceremony is the final step after they have been living in the country legally for an extended period of time. This last step is now on hold.

 How long could the “pause” last, and could it last forever?

The USCIS memo states that the pause begins immediately, but it doesn’t specify when it will end. The government has already said that the list of countries may grow from 19 to 30. The President has also talked about long-term or even “permanent” stops on some migration routes.

There are several possible outcomes: 

• A short review period followed by a gradual return to status renewals for people already in the US
• Rolling extensions to permissions that effectively freeze things for a long time
• A policy that the courts modify over time, but remains in place in some form

For now, applicants who are affected should expect longer processing times, more thorough reviews, and the chance that their appointments will be cancelled. The situation is changing quickly, so anyone with an application pending or planning to apply to one of the listed countries should obtain current, personalized legal advice instead of relying on past practices or timelines.

How Can Our Lawyers at IAS Help You?

It can be a hugely stressful time for those affected by a pause on their immigration activity and applications. We offer immediate assistance to help you realize your rights, eligibility, and pathways to stay in the US or to leave the US. We can help you understand your timeline, and gain clarity on your future.

We offer a wide range of services and immigration specialists who can ensure you understand the complexity of your situation. Contact us today by calling +1 844 290 6312 or using our online form.