Efficient instantly, USCIS stated it was inserting on maintain all pending immigration functions for the residents of the 39 nations and the Palestinian Authority underneath Trump’s expanded journey ban, together with OPT functions and adjustments or extensions to standing.
“USCIS stays devoted to making sure aliens from high-risk nations of concern who’ve entered america don’t pose dangers to nationwide safety or public security,” learn the January 1 memo.
“To faithfully uphold United States immigration regulation, the move of aliens from nations with excessive overstay charges, vital fraud, or each should cease.”
It’s unclear how lengthy the pause will stay in place and what new vetting measures will likely be applied. The Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The company has stated it’s going to conduct a complete evaluate of all insurance policies, procedures and screening processes of candidates both born in or residents of the journey ban nations.
It’s also re-examining all accredited functions way back to January 20, 2021, and has stated it might re-interview these of concern.
USCIS stays devoted to making sure aliens from high-risk nations of concern who’ve entered america don’t pose dangers to nationwide safety or public security
US Division of Homeland Safety
In December 2025, the Trump administration paused the processing of asylum functions and pending immigration profit requests for residents of the 19 nations listed on Trump’s preliminary June 2025 journey ban – a transfer largely in response to the capturing of two Nationwide Guard members in Washington DC.
The growth of the pause to an further 20 nations comes as the federal government cracks down on these pursuing routes to everlasting standing within the US.
A lot of the affected nations impacted by the latest replace are African nations, together with Nigeria – the US’s eighth largest supply market of worldwide college students.
Whereas current visa holders are exempt from Trump’s journey ban, the most recent transfer will trigger uncertainty for worldwide college students from the impacted nations planning to pursue Optionally available Sensible Coaching (OPT) and STEM OPT.
“Finally, USCIS has decided the burden of processing delays which is able to fall on some aliens is important and applicable, when weighed towards the company’s obligation to guard and protect our nationwide safety,” acknowledged the memo.
As such, immigration advisors have informed impacted people to count on widespread delays, with stories of interviews being cancelled and appointments disappearing from on-line accounts with no rationalization.
They have suggested candidates to file work authorisation renewals as early as potential and have cautioned towards worldwide journey.
