U.S. Halts Immigration Processing for Citizens of 19 Countries Across Africa, Middle East and Asia

The United States government has suspended immigration applications from nationals of 19 countries spanning Africa, Asia, and the Middle East as part of a sweeping security review. The decision affects green-card, visa adjustment, and naturalization applications, placing both new and pending cases on hold until further notice.

Officials said the move is aimed at strengthening vetting procedures over concerns related to national security and public safety. Authorities noted that the affected applications will undergo additional screening before any future processing can resume, though no timeline has been provided for the review process.

The suspension applies to several countries previously flagged under partial travel and entry restrictions, including Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Libya, Yemen, Chad, and others across multiple regions. Nationals of these countries — as well as individuals born there — will face indefinite delays in receiving immigration approvals.

The freeze does not only apply to new submissions but also extends to cases already nearing completion, effectively stopping final decisions across the board. Immigration officials confirmed that applicants currently in the processing pipeline will remain in limbo until revised eligibility and security assessments are implemented.

Human-rights groups and immigration advocates have criticised the decision, warning that it unfairly targets entire populations based on nationality and could disrupt family reunification efforts and long-standing applications. They called for a more individualized vetting system rather than blanket restrictions affecting millions of potential applicants.