The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) paused the processing of immigration applications from an additional 20 countries, effective January 1st, following an expansion of existing travel restrictions. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the pause in a memo released Thursday, stating that it would temporarily halt the review of all pending applications for visas, green cards, citizenship, or asylum from immigrants originating from these newly added countries. The memo further detailed plans to re-review applications dating back to 2021 for individuals from the affected nations.
The list of countries subject to the application pause primarily includes nations in Africa, such as Angola, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. The Trump administration expanded the list of countries with travel restrictions last month, prompting this subsequent action by USCIS.
According to the USCIS memo, the pause is intended to allow the agency to thoroughly review existing security protocols and ensure compliance with the expanded travel restrictions. This review process will involve cross-referencing applicant data with updated watchlists and security databases. The agency aims to identify any potential national security or public safety concerns associated with applicants from the designated countries.
Immigration lawyers and advocacy groups have expressed concern over the potential impact of the pause on individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States. Some argue that the move could disproportionately affect legitimate applicants and create unnecessary delays in the immigration process. "This pause will undoubtedly create more uncertainty and backlog in an already strained system," said immigration attorney Sarah Thompson. "It's crucial that USCIS provides clear guidelines and timelines for when these applications will be processed."
The DHS has not yet announced a specific date for when the application review process will resume. The agency stated that it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available. In the meantime, individuals from the affected countries are advised to consult with an immigration attorney to understand their options and navigate the complexities of the current situation. The USCIS website will also be updated with relevant information and FAQs.
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