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US Suspends Visa and Green Card Applications from 19 Countries Under Security Review

December 4, 2025 6:13 am

US Suspends Visa and Green Card Applications from 19 Countries Under Security Review

The United States has paused all immigration applications from 19 countries, including green cards and citizenship requests. This move leaves countless families in limbo, with no clear timeline for when normal processing will resume.

This suspension of immigration applications affects individuals from several nations. An internal directive from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) instructs officers to halt all final decisions on these cases. As a result, the pause impacts every type of immigration application, including green cards, visas, and citizenship ceremonies for long-term residents nearing citizenship.

This decision follows a recent incident involving the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. The suspect, an Afghan evacuee who had received asylum, prompted the government to launch a comprehensive security review of applicants from certain countries.

Countries Affected by the Suspension

The pause affects immigration applications from 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
Venezuela

Reasons for the Suspension

Officials state that the purpose of the pause includes:

Reviewing past immigration approvals from the affected countries
Reassessing applicants for potential national security and public safety risks
Ensuring that no one with criminal or terrorism ties receives immigration benefits

Some applicants approved prior to the suspension may be required to undergo new interviews as part of this review.

Who is Impacted?

The pause affects various groups, including:

Individuals currently in the US with pending immigration cases
Permanent residents waiting to become citizens
Immigrants applying from outside the US
Anyone from the 19 countries who has submitted any immigration form

Unfortunately, there is currently no timeline for when this suspension will end. The pause will only lift when immigration authorities release a new memo.

What’s Next?

Sources indicate that the government might expand these immigration and travel restrictions to additional countries, potentially increasing the list to around 30 nations. Immigration lawyers are reporting canceled ceremonies and delayed applications, describing this latest pause as “unprecedented.”

While smaller pauses have occurred in the past, they have never been this extensive or affected so many types of applications. This situation leaves many families facing uncertainty, especially those close to achieving citizenship.

Conclusion

In light of the suspended immigration processes, those affected should stay informed and prepared for potential updates. The situation remains fluid, and families need to avoid panic while awaiting clarity regarding their immigration status. Understanding the implications is crucial during this challenging time.