Trump administration freezes all immigration from 19 "high-risk" nations

The Trump administration has instituted a sweeping immigration freeze, ordering US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to halt all pending asylum applications and immigration benefit requests from nationals of 19 countries labeled "high-risk." The dramatic policy shift, enacted via a new memorandum, represents one of the most restrictive immigration measures of the presidency and suspends legal processes for thousands of applicants.

Immediate Halt and Retroactive Review

The directive mandates an immediate hold on all Forms I-589 (Application for Asylum) and all pending benefit requests for individuals from the listed countries, regardless of their entry date. Furthermore, it orders a "comprehensive re-review" of already approved applications for nationals who entered the US on or after January 20, 2021. These individuals will face renewed vetting, including potential interviews, to reassess national security and public safety threats.

List of Affected Nations and Policy Trigger

The countries subject to the freeze are listed in Presidential Proclamation 10949 and include Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Venezuela, and several African nations. The policy was triggered by last week's shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. The suspect is a 29-year-old Afghan national who was granted asylum in April after entering the US following the 2021 withdrawal and had reportedly worked with US government agencies, including the CIA.

Broader Crackdown and Legal Implications

President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had called for an intensified immigration crackdown following the attack. This new blanket halt goes beyond typical vetting enhancements, effectively imposing collective suspension on entire nationalities. Legal experts anticipate immediate court challenges, arguing the policy unlawfully discriminates based on nationality and violates statutory procedures for asylum seekers, potentially trapping vulnerable individuals in legal limbo indefinitely.