The U.S. government has announced a halt to immigration applications for individuals from 19 countries, following concerns over national security. This decision, which affects green card and citizenship applications, comes after a shooting incident involving an Afghan national who had entered the U.S. under asylum status. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will pause processing applications from these countries while conducting additional security screenings.

The 19 countries impacted include Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and others. Many of these nations were already subject to travel restrictions, but this new measure expands those restrictions to individuals already in the U.S. or with pending applications. The freeze covers various immigration benefits, including family-sponsored visas and employment-based petitions.

Legal experts and immigrant advocacy groups have expressed concern over the uncertainty this creates for applicants who are already in the process of securing legal status in the U.S. While exceptions exist for lawful permanent residents and certain humanitarian cases, the decision will likely lead to significant delays for many individuals seeking to adjust their status.

This move is part of a broader trend of tightening immigration policies under the Trump administration, focused on enhancing security measures. While the government aims to ensure public safety, the pause in immigration processing has sparked debates about its fairness and the long-term effects on the immigration system.

Sources: Reuters, BBC, Times India