Immigration applications from 19 countries have been put on hold entirely after they were subjected to travel ban earlier in 2025, reported The New York Times. Applications for citizenship, green cards, interviews and ceremonies for people from the following nations have been brought to a sudden stop.
Which countries have been affected?
The list of nations affected by the new order is as follows:
Turkmenistan
Eritrea
Afghanistan
Iran
Myanmar
Libya
Chad
Sudan
Laos
Yemen
Togo
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Burundi
Equatorial Guinea
Republic of Congo
Cuba
Haiti
Venezuela
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What triggered this decision?
The attack on two National Guard personnel in Washington, DC, is being thought to be the reason behind this decision. The main accused has been identified as an Afghan national, and has been charged with murder. The accused Rahamanullah Lakanwal arrived in the United States under a special program in 2021 and was officially granted asylum in April of this year.
Matthew Tragesser, spokesperson for US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) told The New York Times, "The Trump administration is making every effort to ensure individuals becoming citizens are the best of the best. Citizenship is a privilege, not a right."
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What will happen to immigrants?
In the last few days, the Trump administration has ordered a number of changes including rechecking of green cards issued to nationals of travel-banned nations, stopping decisions on asylum applications, re-evaluating approvals for asylum under the previous Biden administration, and the withholding of all visa applications from Afghanistan, Financial Express reported.
Over 1.5 million asylum seekers will be affected by the decisions, and over 50,000 asylum cases will be analysed again who received refuge under Joe Biden's administration.
