Washington: The US government has announced a suspension of all immigration requests from 19 countries, citing a need to tighten national security screenings. This decision has sparked concerns among critics who warn that it could leave thousands in a state of legal uncertainty. The suspension, which affects countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, was implemented following an attack on National Guard members in Washington, for which an Afghan national was arrested as a suspect.
According to Deutsche Welle, President Donald Trump’s administration has introduced a new policy under which applicants from the affected countries must undergo a comprehensive vetting process. The administration has not disclosed the duration of this pause or whether additional countries could be added to the list. Officials claim the move is intended to safeguard the immigration system and address “security gaps,” but critics argue that the decision could prolong legal limbo for many.
Several countries already faced partial travel bans and will now experience more stringent restrictions. These include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, which have seen full suspensions on most entries since June, with limited exceptions. Other countries, such as Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, had partial restrictions that will now face increased scrutiny.
The policy requires a halt on pending applications and mandates a thorough re-review of all cases from the affected nations, potentially involving new interviews and security assessments. Sharvari Dalal-Dheini, senior director of government relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, reported instances of cancelled oath ceremonies, naturalization interviews, and adjustment-of-status appointments for individuals from the listed countries.
Since taking office in January, Trump has focused on immigration enforcement, including federal deployments to major US cities and restricting asylum access at the US-Mexico border. While deportations have been a key part of his agenda, legal immigration had not been as prominently addressed until now.
In a related development, US federal authorities are reportedly planning a targeted US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minnesota, primarily aimed at Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the country. A person familiar with the planning informed the AP news agency that this operation could begin soon, focusing on individuals in the Minneapolis-St Paul area with final deportation orders. President Trump has recently intensified his rhetoric about the Somali community in the state, causing increased fears of profiling and local concerns.