USCIS Announces Temporary Pause on Certain Immigration Applications From 19 Countries

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a temporary pause on processing certain immigration applications for individuals from 19 countries already subject to existing U.S. travel restrictions. This update was released through a policy memorandum outlining the agency’s plan to conduct an expanded review of pending and approved immigration benefit requests connected to these countries.

The pause applies to a range of immigration filings, including applications for permanent residency and naturalization. USCIS stated that the review will remain in place until the agency issues further guidance.

Who Is Affected?

The temporary pause covers applicants from the same 19 countries included in earlier travel restrictions, which fall into two groups:

Countries previously under full entry restrictions:

Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen.

Countries previously under partial restrictions:

Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela.

The update applies to qualifying applicants whether they are filing from outside the United States or are already present in the country.

What USCIS Plans to Review

According to the memo, USCIS will conduct a “comprehensive re-review” of certain immigration benefit requests from individuals who entered the United States after January 20, 2021. This review may include:

• A reassessment of previously approved applications
• Additional interviews or re-interviews when needed
• Coordination with other agencies if further evaluation is required

USCIS has indicated it will also temporarily pause asylum decisions during this period.

Why This Matters for Applicants

The announcement may result in:

• Longer processing times for individuals from the listed countries
• Potential requests for additional evidence or interviews
• Delays in decisions for pending green card or naturalization applications

This pause does not cancel or automatically deny any applications. It simply pauses adjudication while the agency completes its review.

What Applicants Should Do Now

Anyone from the impacted countries with a pending case should continue to:

• Check for official USCIS notices
• Monitor their USCIS online account
• Respond promptly to any requests for evidence or interviews

At Zhang-Louie PLLC, we closely follow federal updates to support clients whose cases may be affected by new USCIS procedures. If you have questions about how this pause may impact your application, our team can help you understand your options and next steps based on current guidance.