Trump Stops Immigration From 19 Nations
The Trump administration has halted immigration applications from 19 countries classified as high-risk, following a deadly terror attack allegedly committed by an Afghan migrant in Washington, D.C. Officials say an additional 11 nations could soon be added to the list, potentially expanding restrictions to more than 30 countries.
The move could impact over 1.5 million pending asylum applicants and more than 50,000 individuals granted asylum under the previous administration. The new policy was detailed in a memo published Tuesday on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, the agency responsible for processing immigration benefits.
According to the memo, green card applications from the 19 countries already under travel bans earlier this year are now paused indefinitely. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow will determine when the freeze will be lifted.
USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser defended the decision, stating:
“Citizenship is a privilege, not a right. The administration is making every effort to ensure individuals becoming citizens are the best of the best.”
The agency also announced a comprehensive review of all approved immigration benefits granted to individuals who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration. Immigrants from high-risk countries who arrived on or after January 20, 2021, will undergo re-evaluation, with a priority list to be completed within 90 days.
Attack Behind the Policy Shift
The enhanced security measures come after Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly shot two National Guard members near the White House on Thanksgiving. One soldier died, and the other remains in critical condition. Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. in 2021 during the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Following the attack, President Trump held discussions with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who called for a “full travel ban” on countries sending “killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies,” emphasizing that the U.S. should not allow “foreign invaders” to exploit the system.
Previous Travel Restrictions Expanded
The decision follows a June policy that banned travel from 12 nations—Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen—and restricted entry from eight others. Individuals from these countries already inside the U.S. were not previously subject to additional review, but the new USCIS announcement changes that.
Legal Challenges Expected
Immigration advocates described the policy as discriminatory.
Attorney Todd Pomerleau said lawsuits are imminent, arguing the policy enables “targeting of people based on nationality, religion, and associations.”
