In a significant move, the Trump administration has paused all immigration applications from 19 non-European countries, including green card and citizenship requests. This decision, announced on Tuesday, is part of heightened national security measures following a recent shooting incident involving National Guard members in Washington, D.C.

The suspension affects applicants from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, Eritrea, Haiti, and Somalia, among others. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) cited the shooting on November 27, where an Afghan national was arrested for allegedly killing one National Guard member and injuring another, as a key reason for the pause. USCIS stated, "In light of identified concerns and the threat to the American people, USCIS has determined that a comprehensive re-review, potential interview, and re-interview of all aliens from high-risk countries of concern who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021 is necessary."

This directive follows a previous travel ban imposed in June, which restricted entry for citizens from 12 countries due to national security concerns. The current pause not only halts new applications but also mandates a thorough review of all approved immigration benefits for individuals who arrived in the U.S. during the Biden administration.

Immigration lawyers have reported that many clients, particularly from Venezuela, Iran, and Afghanistan, have had their citizenship hearings cancelled. Naturalisation ceremonies, which are typically celebratory events, have also been affected. Additionally, USCIS has paused all asylum decisions, and the State Department has halted visa processing for Afghans who assisted U.S. military efforts.

The administration's actions reflect a broader strategy to tighten immigration policies, with Trump increasingly linking migrants to social issues in the country. The list of affected countries includes Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Cuba, Laos, Togo, Libya, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Sierra Leone, the Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Turkmenistan, Burundi, and Venezuela. The new policy emphasizes the need for a thorough assessment of national security and public safety threats for all applicants from these nations.