The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a suspension of immigration applications from 19 countries, a decision that follows the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., one of whom died. The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021, had been granted asylum earlier in 2025 under the Trump administration.

The countries affected by this immigration halt include Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These nations are already subject to varying degrees of travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. government.

Internal guidance from USCIS indicates that employees have been directed to cease final adjudication on all cases involving individuals from these nations, which are categorized as high-risk. This suspension includes halting citizenship ceremonies for legal permanent residents from the affected countries who were nearing naturalization.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the suspension, stating that the administration aims to ensure that individuals seeking citizenship are thoroughly vetted. The DHS emphasized national security in its review of immigration benefits granted to individuals from these designated countries.

Critics of the policy, including organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the National Immigrant Justice Center, have condemned the move as an attempt to scapegoat entire nationalities for the actions of a single individual. They argue that such policies jeopardize the rights of individuals seeking asylum and protection under U.S. and international law. Tanya Greene, the U.S. director of Human Rights Watch, stated that the policy is not rooted in safety but rather in the stigmatization of people based on their country of origin.

Furthermore, lawmakers have expressed disapproval of the administration's rhetoric surrounding immigration, particularly in light of derogatory remarks made by President Trump regarding Somali migrants. Critics, including Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, have drawn parallels to historical instances of discrimination against various ethnic groups in the U.S., calling for a reevaluation of the administration's approach to immigration.

In addition to the suspension of applications, the Trump administration is reportedly considering expanding the travel ban to include additional countries, potentially increasing the total to around 30 nations. This ongoing shift in immigration policy raises concerns about the broader humanitarian impact and the implications for individuals and families who have complied with immigration processes.