US Indefinitely Halts Immigration from 19 Nations

The United States government has announced an indefinite suspension of immigration applications originating from 19 non-European nations previously targeted by a travel ban under the Trump administration. This sweeping measure, citing heightened national security concerns, was revealed by the federal agency responsible for processing visas and green cards.

A policy memorandum, published Tuesday on the official website of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a component of the Department of Homeland Security, also institutes an immediate “adjudicative hold” on all asylum applications, irrespective of the applicant’s country of origin. Furthermore, the directive mandates a comprehensive review of foreign nationals from “high risk countries of concern” who were admitted into the U.S. after January 20, 2021, marking the commencement of the Biden presidency.

**Security Concerns Drive Policy Shift**

This assertive shift by immigration authorities follows a recent Thanksgiving week shooting incident in Washington D.C., where two National Guard members were reportedly shot. The alleged assailant, an Afghan national, is said to have entered the country in September 2021 and was granted asylum by the Trump administration in April of the following year. This event appears to be a significant catalyst for the new, tougher stance.

USCIS underscored its commitment to public safety in the memo, stating, “USCIS remains committed to ensuring that all aliens from high-risk countries of concern that entered the US do not present threats to national security or public safety.” The agency emphasized its intent to fully leverage its investigative powers: “This effort ensures that USCIS exercises its full authority to investigate immigration benefit requests filed by aliens who may pose risks.”

**Expanded Restrictions and New Scrutiny**

The latest action significantly broadens the scope of a travel ban initially implemented in June via an executive order from Donald Trump. That order imposed full restrictions on 12 non-European countries and partial limitations on seven others. Crucially, this new directive extends scrutiny to individuals already residing in the U.S. when the original ban took effect, subjecting them to renewed vetting, including potential new interviews.

The original June order fully restricted nationals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen from entering the United States. Seven additional nations faced partial entry restrictions.

**The Path Ahead**

In its Tuesday memo, USCIS outlined a plan to develop a prioritized list of immigrants for review within 90 days. These individuals could face potential referral to immigration enforcement or other relevant law enforcement agencies. The move signals a renewed focus on vetting processes and national security implications for specific immigrant populations, reflecting an escalated response to perceived threats. This comprehensive overhaul of immigration processing underscores the administration’s commitment to tightening border security and national defense protocols.

Source: The Guardian