The recent memo from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has significant implications for immigrants from 19 countries identified as high-risk by the Trump administration. This pause affects a broad range of immigration-related decisions, including green card applications and naturalizations. The agency's director, Joseph Edlow, holds the authority to determine when this pause will be lifted, as indicated in the memo.
In June, the administration enacted a travel ban impacting citizens from 12 countries, while also imposing restrictions on those from an additional seven nations. The travel ban was justified by citing national security concerns. Countries affected by the ban included Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The restricted access was applied to individuals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Notably, when the travel ban was first implemented, no immediate action was taken against immigrants already residing in the U.S. However, the latest announcement from USCIS indicates that these individuals will now face increased scrutiny. The agency has committed to conducting a thorough review of all approved benefit requests for immigrants who entered the country during the Biden administration.
The decision to pause immigration-related processes stems from a tragic incident in which two National Guard troops were shot by a suspect identified as an Afghan national. This incident, which resulted in the death of one soldier and injuries to another, has prompted USCIS to reassess its approach regarding immigrants from high-risk countries.
USCIS stated, “In light of identified concerns and the threat to the American people, a comprehensive re-review, potential interview, and re-interview of all aliens from high-risk countries who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021, is necessary.” The agency has pledged to produce a prioritized list of immigrants for review within 90 days, with possible referrals to immigration enforcement or other law enforcement agencies if warranted.
Following the shooting incident, the administration has announced a series of measures aimed at scrutinizing not only immigrants already in the country but also those seeking to enter the U.S. Last week, the USCIS director revealed that the agency would be reexamining green card applications from individuals hailing from these high-risk countries. The memo released on Tuesday further clarifies the scope of those affected by these changes.
In addition to the pause on green card applications, USCIS also announced a halt on all asylum decisions. Meanwhile, the State Department has temporarily suspended visas for Afghans who assisted the U.S. military efforts. Just days prior to the shooting incident, USCIS had indicated in a separate memo that it would review the cases of all refugees who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration.
Critics have voiced concerns that the actions taken by the Trump administration represent a form of collective punishment against immigrants. The ramifications of these policies raise significant questions about the future of immigration in the United States and the treatment of those from countries deemed high-risk.