The Trump administration paused immigration applications from 19 restricted countries on Tuesday. USCIS said the agency needs stronger vetting to protect national security.
USCIS Defends the New Policy
USCIS admitted the pause may slow some cases. However, the agency stressed its duty to screen every applicant carefully. It said national security requires the highest possible level of review.
Report First Revealed the Policy Shift
The New York Times first shared details about the pause. It affects green card applicants and future U.S. citizens. USCIS did not answer requests for comment on Tuesday night.
Pause Follows Deadly Attack in Washington, D.C.
The announcement came soon after a deadly attack on two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. One soldier died, and the other remains in critical condition. The suspect is an Afghan national who entered legally during the Biden administration. He later received asylum after Trump returned to office.
Over One Million Asylum Seekers Could Be Impacted
USCIS said over 1.4 million asylum seekers may feel this pause. Many come from countries the administration considers high risk. Most of these nations are located in Africa and Asia.
Travel Bans Already Target Several Countries
Earlier this year, Trump signed an order fully banning nationals from 12 countries. These include Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The same order placed partial restrictions on nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
USCIS Director Calls for Stronger Vetting
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said many Afghan arrivals after the 2021 withdrawal did not receive proper checks. He told Newsmax that stronger screening remains a top priority for his agency.
Noem Pushes for a Broader Ban
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she met with Trump on Monday. She recommended a complete travel ban on countries she claims send dangerous individuals. She repeated her position on X later that day.
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