Which 19 countries, originally on travel ban list, are now on immigration pause?

The United States has temporarily suspended immigration applications from 19 countries that were previously highlighted in an earlier travel ban. According to a December 2 memo from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the halt specifically targets nations mentioned in the June travel ban proclamation issued under the Trump administration.

The memo cites the November 26 shooting near the White House, which resulted in the death of one National Guard member and left another critically injured, as a factor influencing the decision to pause immigration processing.

Afghanistan, already under heightened immigration scrutiny after the suspect in the attack was identified as an Afghan national, is among the affected countries. Somalia is also included, reflecting recent remarks by President Trump emphasizing restrictions on nationals from that nation.

Scope of the Pause

The December 2 directive affects pending immigration applications from all 19 countries named in Trump's June proclamation titled "Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats." This proclamation initially imposed a full travel ban on 12 countries and a partial ban on 7 additional nations.

Context of the Immigration Review

The suspension follows the November 26 attack on two National Guard members near the White House. The suspect, an Afghan national who arrived in the U.S. in 2021, has been charged with murder, assault with intent to kill, and unlawful firearm possession during a violent crime. One victim, U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, died the following day, while U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition.

Homeland Security has announced that it will review all asylum cases previously approved under the Biden administration in light of the incident.

Countries Affected

The memo lists 19 countries affected by the immigration pause. These nations were originally part of the June travel ban and now face delays or suspension in immigration processing as the administration reassesses security concerns.

Author: Olivia Parker