The administration has recently suspended processing of citizenship and residency applications for individuals from 19 countries, including Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela. This action represents a hardening of the country’s immigration policies since the current administration returned to the White House.
New Restrictions and Processing Delays
According to an official memorandum released on December 2nd, the administration has halted the processing of green cards and citizenship applications for individuals from the specified 19 countries. These countries were already subject to travel restrictions enacted in June.
In addition to Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela, the affected nations are Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Eritrea, Guinea Equatorial, Iran, Laos, Libya, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Yemen.
Experts in immigration law have noted the potential for significant disruption. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior researcher at the American Immigration Council, stated that even individuals who have completed the citizenship exam are seeing their cases put on hold.
Security Concerns and Recent Events
The policy shift follows an incident on November 26th, in which two members of the National Guard were shot near the White House in Washington. The suspect, an Afghan citizen, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder. He arrived in the United States during the evacuations following the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan in 2021.
The memorandum states that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) plays a central role in preventing terrorists from seeking refuge in the United States and ensuring that security is prioritized in the selection and adjudication processes. The government cited the recent attack as an example of what can happen with insufficient evaluation and vetting.
Following the attack, the current administration stated a plan to “pause permanently the migration from all countries of the third world to allow the American system to recover completely.” The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, also called for expanding the list of countries subject to travel restrictions, stating a recommendation for a “total ban” from nations she believes are sending “killers, leeches, and addicts” to the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What countries are affected by this new policy?
The policy affects citizens of Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Eritrea, Guinea Equatorial, Iran, Laos, Libya, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Yemen, as well as Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela.
What does this mean for people who have already applied for citizenship or a green card?
According to experts, even those who have completed the citizenship exam may have their cases suspended. Applications already in process could also face further review.
What prompted this change in policy?
The administration indicated that the policy change was prompted by a shooting near the White House involving a suspect who was an Afghan citizen and had arrived in the U.S. during the 2021 evacuations.
How might these new restrictions impact the broader immigration system and the individuals seeking to navigate it?
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