December 1, 2025
USCIS freezes all immigration cases from 19 countries, leaving 1.4 million asylum seekers waiting indefinitely
1.4 million asylum seekers stuck in limbo, unable to work or reunite with family
🛂Immigration
White House announced Dec. 1, 2025 that USCIS would halt processing all immigration applications from 19 countries included in Trump's Jun. 2025 travel ban executive order. The countries include Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and others designated as security risks.
The halt affects 1.4 million pending asylum applications, with USCIS directing staff to stop all adjudications for applicants from these countries. USCIS officials told congressional staff the pause would last indefinitely while agencies conduct security reviews of each case.
The action follows the Nov. 26, 2025 National Guard shooting near the White House by an Afghan national who had applied for asylum but been denied. Trump cited the shooting in announcing the halt, saying the incident required comprehensive review of all pending applications from high-risk countries.
USCIS processing centers nationwide received memos directing staff to suspend all green card, asylum, and citizenship applications from the 19 countries. Legal aid organizations reported immediate backlogs as thousands of applicants showed up for scheduled interviews only to be told processing was halted.
The Jun. 2025 travel ban covered 19 countries Trump designated as posing terrorism risks, with the administration arguing the countries lacked sufficient information sharing with US intelligence. The ban was upheld by federal courts but narrowed to exclude certain categories of applicants.
Immigration attorneys argued the blanket halt violated administrative law by not providing individual assessments. USCIS had been processing applications at record pace under Trump administration directives, with approval rates dropping 15% from previous years.
The halt affected families who had waited years for green card approvals, with some applications dating back to 2019. Humanitarian organizations reported cases of refugees facing persecution in their home countries while waiting for US decisions.
Trump administration officials said the security review would be comprehensive, potentially taking months or years per case. No timeline was provided for when processing might resume.
🛂Immigration
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
On December 2, 2025, USCIS issued policy memorandum PM-602-0192 halting immigration processing for how many countries?
Q2
On January 1, 2026, USCIS issued PM-602-0194 expanding the processing halt. How many total countries were subject to restrictions after this expansion?
Q3
The December 2, 2025 USCIS memo halted processing of all pending asylum applications (Form I-589), regardless of the applicants nationality.
Q4
Which country was NOT among the 19 designated as "high-risk" in the December 2025 processing halt?
Q5
Which immigration benefit applications were subject to the December 2025 processing hold for nationals from the 19 designated countries?
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Start QuizPeople, bills, and sources
Donald Trump
President of the United States
USCIS Director
Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
National Immigration Law Center
Immigration advocacy organization
Afghan National Guard Shooter
Suspect in Nov. 26 White House shooting
What you can do
1
civic action
Contact USCIS congressional liaison office
Request congressional inquiry into the legality of the blanket processing halt under administrative law
Hi, I'm calling to request that Congress hold hearings on the USCIS decision to halt processing of all immigration applications from 19 countries.
Key points to mention:
- The halt affects 1.4 million pending applications
- It follows a single incident rather than individual security assessments
- No timeline provided for when processing will resume
- This creates indefinite limbo for families and asylum seekers
Questions to ask:
- Will Congress investigate whether this violates administrative law?
- What oversight will Congress provide for immigration processing?
Specific request: I want Congress to require USCIS to provide individual security assessments rather than blanket halts, and establish timelines for processing decisions.
Thank you for your time.
2
civic action
Support legal challenge through immigration advocacy groups
Join amicus brief efforts challenging the constitutionality of indefinite processing halts
I am writing to offer support for legal challenges to the USCIS processing halt.
Key points to mention:
- The policy affects 1.4 million pending applications
- It creates indefinite limbo without individual assessments
- This violates due process rights of applicants
- Administrative law requires reasoned decision-making
Questions to ask:
- How can I support legal challenges to this policy?
- What amicus brief opportunities exist?
Specific request: I want to support efforts to restore processing with individual security assessments and established timelines.
Thank you for your work on this critical issue.
3
civic action
Document local impacts for congressional representatives
Compile stories of affected families in your district to share with representatives
Dear Representative,
I am writing to share stories of families in our district affected by the USCIS processing halt.
Key points to include:
- Local families with pending applications from affected countries
- Humanitarian impacts on asylum seekers facing persecution
- Economic impacts on employers waiting for green card approvals
- Due process concerns about indefinite limbo
Specific request: I urge you to demand congressional oversight hearings and legislation requiring individual security assessments with established processing timelines.
Supporting evidence:
- 1.4 million applications affected nationwide
- No timeline provided for processing resumption
- Administrative law violations in blanket policies
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.