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 nations.
The memo further detailed plans to re-review applications from immigrants from these countries dating back to 2021. The list of affected countries, primarily located in Africa, includes Angola, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. The Trump administration last month expanded the list of countries facing travel restrictions.
USCIS explained that the pause is necessary to ensure thorough vetting procedures and compliance with the expanded travel restrictions. The agency stated that the re-review process will involve utilizing updated security protocols and information-sharing systems to identify any potential national security or public safety concerns. This process aims to strengthen the integrity of the immigration system and protect national interests, according to the agency.
Immigration lawyers and advocacy groups have expressed concerns about the impact of the pause on individuals and families seeking to immigrate to the United States. Some argue that the expanded travel restrictions and subsequent application pause disproportionately affect individuals from African countries and could lead to significant delays and uncertainty in the immigration process.
"This decision will undoubtedly create further backlogs and anxiety for applicants who have already been waiting for extended periods," said immigration attorney Sarah Thompson. "The lack of transparency surrounding the specific security concerns and vetting procedures raises serious questions about due process and fairness."
The exact duration of the application pause remains unclear. USCIS stated that it will provide updates as the re-review process progresses and will resume processing applications from the affected countries as soon as it is deemed appropriate. The agency emphasized its commitment to processing immigration applications efficiently and fairly while upholding national security standards. The agency did not specify when updates would be provided.
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