Trump freezes immigration applications from 19 countries — and blacklist could expand to more than 30
The Trump administration officially paused new immigration filings from 19 countries that it identifies as high‑risk for terrorism and other national security threats. That move came just hours after a back‑door source warned The Post that the list might soon expand to more than 30 nations.
In a four‑page memorandum dropped late Tuesday, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ordered a stop to all pending asylum, green card, and citizenship applications, as well as other benefit requests, citing the need for a “comprehensive review.”
The 19 affected states were previously singled out in a June 4 proclamation for tighter travel controls. They include Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Cuba, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Sources say the roster could grow to over thirty countries, a possibility highlighted in a recent AP brief.
The memorandum continued: “USCIS has determined that a comprehensive re‑review, potential interview, and re‑interview of all aliens from high‑risk countries of concern who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021 is necessary,” read the memo, adding afterward: “USCIS has considered that this direction may result in delay to the adjudication of some pending applications and has weighed that consequence against the urgent need for the agency to ensure that applicants are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.”
The memo concluded: “Ultimately, USCIS has determined that the burden of processing delays that will fall on some applicants is necessary and appropriate in this instance, when weighed against the agency’s obligation to protect and preserve national security.”
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