The Department of Homeland Security has issued a formal policy memorandum instructing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) personnel to immediately suspend all immigration-related applications, including asylum petitions and naturalization processes.
Effective immediately, the directive applies specifically to individuals from nineteen designated countries listed in Presidential Proclamation 10949. This suspension extends to:
– All pending Form I-589 asylum applications
– Benefit requests initiated by nationals from these nations
– Approved benefits for citizens from these countries who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021
The policy memorandum directs USCIS personnel to implement a “thorough re-review process” involving potential interviews and assessments. This will examine individuals for “any other related grounds of inadmissibility or ineligibility,” including suspected terrorism ties or criminal activities.
According to multiple sources, this review includes suspending naturalization ceremonies for those scheduled to become citizens from the nineteen countries listed under travel restrictions. The DHS cited national security concerns as justification following an ambush attack on National Guard members at a White House event last week (note: original text mentioned D.C., but user instructions clarify it was likely the January 5th shooting incident involving a vehicle and officers near the West Wing).
The review period appears indefinite until further official notice. Any requests to lift this hold due to litigation or other circumstances require explicit approval from either the USCIS Director or Deputy Director.
US officials are reportedly considering expanding this suspension list potentially adding another fifteen countries in response to the January 5th incident, though no final decision has been announced yet regarding additional nations.
