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Updated 3 December 2025 - US immigration authorities have suspended all final decisions on applications from 19 countries already under travel restrictions, an internal directive reveals.
Processing halted across all visa categories
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agents received instructions on Tuesday to pause every stage of adjudication for applicants from the 19 designated countries, according to a memo obtained by CBS News.
The order covers all visa types, including green cards, asylum claims, and naturalisation ceremonies for migrants on the verge of citizenship.
"This hold includes all form types and making any final decisions (approvals, denials) as well as completing any oath ceremonies."
USCIS internal memo
Naturalisation ceremonies suspended
Immigration attorneys report that citizenship hearings scheduled for this week have been cancelled for clients from Venezuela, Iran, and Afghanistan, ABC News states.
The naturalisation ceremony-often marked by crowds waving small American flags-concludes a process that can span five years.
Expansion of travel ban under consideration
President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing an extension of the June directive that imposed full or partial restrictions on 19 nations, predominantly in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Sources suggest the list may grow to 30 countries.
Policy shift follows fatal shooting in Washington
The latest tightening follows a 26 November attack in the capital that killed 20-year-old National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom and left 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe critically injured.
The arrested suspect is an Afghan national who entered the US through a programme offering protections to Afghans who assisted American forces before the Taliban regained control.
Administration defends move as security measure
USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser told the New York Times that the administration aims to ensure "individuals becoming citizens are the best of the best." He added, "Citizenship is a privilege, not a right."
Last week, USCIS also suspended all asylum decisions and announced a review of green cards previously issued to migrants from the travel-ban countries.
Broader immigration crackdown intensifies
The White House has increasingly attributed what it calls "social dysfunction" in the US to migrants and refugees, prompting a series of policy changes.
