Trump administration halts processing of immigration applications from nationals of 19 'entry-ban' countries
Summary
- The Trump administration has reportedly suspended processing of various immigration applications filed by immigrants from 19 countries subject to U.S. entry restrictions.
- The measure has been applied to nearly all immigration adjudication processes, including green card applications and naturalization procedures, and related appointments are being unilaterally canceled without notice.
- USCIS said it would strengthen verification of foreigners in the United States, and it is expected that the 1.5 million asylum applicants and roughly 50,000 previously approved under the Biden administration will be affected.
USCIS "Citizenship is a privilege, only the best will receive it"
Green card and naturalization interviews repeatedly canceled

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly suspended the processing of various immigration applications submitted by immigrants from 19 countries subject to U.S. entry restrictions.
The New York Times (NYT) reported this on the 2nd (local time).
President Trump issued a proclamation in June that fully or partially restricted entry to the United States for nationals of 19 countries.
Twelve countries were designated as "entry-ban countries": Iran, Yemen, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela were included in the "partial restriction" category.
Matthew Truges, USCIS public affairs officer, confirmed to the NYT in an interview that processing of applications from immigrants from these 19 countries has been suspended.
He said, "The Trump administration is making every effort to ensure that only the very best obtain citizenship," adding, "Citizenship is a privilege, not a right." He added, "We will not take any risks on matters that affect America's future."
The measure applied to nearly all immigration adjudication processes, including green card applications and naturalization procedures. According to immigration attorneys, oath ceremonies for new citizens, interviews for naturalization, and interviews with adjudicators for green card acquisition were unilaterally canceled without explanation, and rescheduling notices have not been provided.
Immigration attorney Anna Maria Schwartz, who practices in Texas, said two Venezuelan clients she represents were scheduled for interviews at the Houston USCIS field office but were told only that the interviews were canceled without any reason given.
She said, "There were already severe adjudication delays, but now everything is effectively at a standstill," predicting, "It's like a complete traffic jam and will only get worse."
On the 1st of this month, USCIS posted on social media that "any measures may be taken until all foreigners are thoroughly verified and screened."
The Trump administration has accelerated efforts to strengthen anti-immigration policies following a shooting that killed a member of the National Guard in downtown Washington, D.C., on the 26th of last month.
This suspension of immigration processing is being interpreted as a further strengthening of that trend. The suspect in the incident was identified as a 29-year-old Afghan man, Ramanullah Rakanwal, who was granted asylum in the United States in April of this year.
He entered through a program that permitted refugees who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021 to enter the United States.
On the 28th of last month, USCIS announced plans to further strengthen verification of foreigners staying in the United States. As a result, it is estimated that the 1.5 million people who have applied for asylum and the roughly 50,000 previously approved under the Biden administration will also be affected.
Keehee Yoo, Hankyung.com reporter keephee@hankyung.com

Korea Economic Daily
hankyung@bloomingbit.ioThe Korea Economic Daily Global is a digital media where latest news on Korean companies, industries, and financial markets.


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