The Donald Trump administration has imposed an immediate pause on all immigration applications filed by nationals of 19 countries previously placed under a US travel ban, triggering widespread cancellations of green card interviews and naturalisation ceremonies.

The move, which The New York Times reported as confirmed by senior officials on Tuesday, marks one of the broadest immigration slowdowns in recent years and deepens the administration’s post-attack security crackdown. Also Read | Will Trump's Green Card crackdown impact Indians? List of 19 countries affected

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) spokesperson Matthew Tragesser defended the decision. “The Trump administration is making every effort to ensure individuals becoming citizens are the best of the best.

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