The United States has abruptly suspended immigration and naturalization processing for citizens of 19 countries, in what officials describe as a sweeping national security measure.
The directive pauses all ongoing visa applications, asylum requests and citizenship procedures involving nationals of several countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean. Government sources say the suspension is part of a nationwide review of screening and background verification systems.
Authorities claim the decision was influenced by concerns that some foreign governments are unable or unwilling to provide reliable security information about their citizens. As a result, all applicants from the affected countries will be required to undergo additional vetting once the review is completed.
The order also affects permanent residents who were scheduled to attend U.S. citizenship ceremonies in the coming weeks, many of which have now been postponed indefinitely.
Immigration lawyers have warned that the move could impact more than one million people already in the system. Families awaiting reunification and individuals seeking asylum now face uncertain delays that could extend for months.
Criticism from human rights groups was immediate, with accusations that the decision unfairly targets people based on nationality. Several legal organizations announced plans to challenge the policy in court.
“This decision punishes innocent people rather than addressing individual threats,” said one attorney representing affected families. “It undermines the principles of fairness and due process.”
Although the administration has not officially linked the suspension to any single event, the announcement follows a recent security incident in Washington, D.C., which intensified calls for stricter immigration controls.
Officials have not provided a timeline for when the suspension might be lifted, saying only that the process will remain frozen “until further notice.”
Source:Africa Publicity
