In a sweeping move that has sent shockwaves through global immigration circles, the administration of former President Donald Trump has declared a comprehensive halt on all immigration applications originating from citizens of 19 specific nations. This unprecedented policy expansion has created significant confusion regarding its scope and immediate consequences for thousands of applicants worldwide.
Which Countries Are on the Banned List?
The ban explicitly targets nationals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. It is crucial to note that this list includes several countries in India's extended neighbourhood, such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Myanmar.
The policy shift gained momentum following a shooting incident in Washington DC, where the accused was identified as an Afghan refugee who had entered the United States back in 2021. However, officials clarified that these 19 nations were already part of the earlier iteration of Trump's travel ban list.
Expert Analysis: A Complete Freeze on All Applications
Immigration attorney Brad Bernstein provided a stark assessment of the situation, explaining that the halt is far more extensive than a simple pause on Green Card processing. He stated that the freeze encompasses a wide array of application categories, creating a blanket suspension for individuals from the listed countries.
"If you are from any of the countries, your case is on hold. That's marriage cases, adopted children of US citizens, visitors' visas, students' visas, naturalization, Green Card applications, all visa applications, asylum...you are frozen at the moment," Bernstein elaborated. He advised affected individuals that their only current recourse is to maintain lawful status and wait for potential litigation outcomes or a change in policy.
Bernstein was highly critical of the administration's justification, noting, "They say there's going to be exceptions based on humanitarian reasons. But that's going to be completely inconsistent. And calling this a national security issue does not change how unprecedented this is in United States history." He anticipates a wave of legal challenges, including class action lawsuits and individual mandamus requests for those whose cases are now in limbo.
Universal Asylum Freeze and Retroactive Review
In a related and equally significant development, a government memo has placed all pending asylum applications (Form I-589) on hold, regardless of the applicant's country of origin. This freeze is pending a comprehensive review and is not limited to the 19 nations on the primary ban list.
Furthermore, the policy mandates a re-review of all previously approved immigration requests from citizens of the 19 countries who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021. This retroactive clause adds another layer of uncertainty for those who believed their immigration process was complete.
The combined effect of these measures represents one of the most restrictive immigration enforcement actions in recent American history, with direct implications for families, students, and professionals from the affected nations seeking entry into the United States.
