U.S. Halts Green Card and Citizenship Processing for Nationals of 19 Countries

Overview

• An official memo issued this week places all pending USCIS applications from nationals of 19 countries on hold, expanding restrictions first applied under June travel rules.
• The policy requires comprehensive re-vetting of affected applicants with potential interviews and re-interviews to assess national-security and public-safety risks.
• The memo cites the Oct. 26 attack near the White House that left one National Guard member dead, and suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, has pleaded not guilty.
• Immigration lawyers report immediate disruptions, including canceled oath ceremonies as well as naturalization and adjustment-of-status interviews for impacted applicants.
• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urged expanding travel bans in sharp terms, and U.S. press reports a planned Minnesota enforcement operation focused on Somalis that local officials say state police will not support.