In a swift escalation of its immigration crackdown, the Trump administration announced Tuesday that it is pausing all immigration applications, including green card approvals and citizenship ceremonies, for nationals from 19 countries previously designated as high-risk under existing travel restrictions. The move comes in the wake of last week's fatal shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., by an Afghan national, prompting renewed calls for broader bans that could affect up to 30 nations.
The pause, detailed in a memo from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), takes effect immediately and applies to a wide array of processes: from asylum claims to naturalization oaths for individuals born in or holding citizenship from the affected countries. It targets migrants who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021—the date of President Joe Biden's inauguration—with many facing re-interviews to assess national security and public safety risks.
The 19 countries include those under full travel bans: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Partial restrictions apply to Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These nations, many plagued by instability, poverty, or conflict, were first flagged in a June proclamation by President Donald Trump as posing elevated threats to U.S. security.
### Trigger: The DC Tragedy
The policy shift follows the November 27 shooting near the U.S. Capitol, where Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, allegedly opened fire on two National Guard troops guarding a federal building. One soldier was killed, and the other wounded; Lakanwal faces charges including murder and assault with intent to kill. Authorities have linked Lakanwal to a CIA-organized counterterrorism program in Afghanistan, raising questions about vetting processes for Afghan evacuees post-U.S. withdrawal in 2021.
President Trump, who invited the victims' families to the White House on Monday, described the incident as a "wake-up call" for America's borders. "This is what happens when we let killers in from failed states," Trump said in a statement, vowing to "permanently pause migration from all third-world countries" until the system is "fully recovered."
### Expansion on the Horizon?
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, speaking after a meeting with Trump, recommended expanding the travel ban list to between 30 and 32 countries—potentially adding nations like Syria, Nigeria, and Pakistan, though specifics remain undisclosed. In a fiery X post late Monday, Noem wrote: "I just met with the President. I am recommending a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies." Trump quickly endorsed the proposal, calling it a "necessary step" to protect American lives.
The administration has already implemented related measures since the shooting, including a halt on all asylum decisions nationwide and a reexamination of green cards issued to individuals from "countries of concern." Additionally, visas for Afghans who aided U.S. forces have been frozen, stranding thousands of interpreters and allies in limbo.
### Broader Context and Reactions
This latest action echoes Trump's first-term "Muslim ban," which targeted seven majority-Muslim countries and was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018 after legal battles over discrimination claims. Critics, including immigrant rights groups, decried the pause as "collective punishment" that unfairly penalizes law-abiding families and refugees. "These policies don't make us safer—they tear communities apart," said Maria Gonzalez, executive director of the American Immigration Council.
Supporters, however, hailed it as decisive leadership. "Finally, prioritizing Americans over open borders," tweeted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), amplifying calls for even stricter measures.
Legal challenges are expected imminently, with the ACLU vowing to sue over due process violations. As the administration eyes further expansions, the fate of millions hangs in the balance, underscoring the volatile intersection of security fears and immigration policy in Trump's second term.
This report is based on official statements, agency memos, and statements from administration officials. Updates will follow as the situation develops.
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