U.S. Expands Immigration Processing Pause: What It Means for Travelers and Immigrants Worldwide

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have expanded a U.S. immigration processing pause on certain immigration benefit applications to include nationals of 20 additional countries, broadening the scope of a restrictive immigration policy originally announced in December 2025.

Background: DHS and USCIS Policy Actions

On December 2, 2025, USCIS issued a policy memorandum directing agency personnel to:Place a hold on pending immigration benefit applications filed by nationals of the travel ban countries previously designated under Presidential Proclamation 10949;Conduct a comprehensive re-review of previously approved benefit requests for individuals from these countries who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021;Suspend processing of all asylum applications, regardless of nationality.

This pause applies to a broad range of benefits, including immigrant visas, nonimmigrant visas, adjustment of status (green card) applications, naturalization, work authorization, travel documents, and asylum petitions.

Original High-Risk Countries (19 Prior to Expansion)

The previous policy memo affected the following 19 countries: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Countries Added in the 2026 Expansion

Effective January 1, 2026, USCIS expanded the adjudicative hold to include nationals from the following 20 additional countries:

• Angola

• Antigua and Barbuda

• Benin

• Burkina Faso

• Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

• Dominica

• Gabon

• The Gambia

• Malawi

• Mali

• Mauritania

• Nigeria

• Niger

• Senegal

• South Sudan

• Syria

• Tanzania

• Tonga

• Zambia

• Zimbabwe

  
  

Additionally, individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority issued documents are included.

Together with the prior list of 19, this brings the total number of countries covered by the immigration pause to 39, plus Palestinian Authority travelers.

What the U.S. Immigration Processing Pause Means in Practice

The processing pause is not an outright ban on immigration benefits, but it halts adjudication of applications pending further review and may subject certain previously approved benefits to re-evaluation. Individuals already in the United States with valid, unexpired visas are not automatically stripped of status simply because their country is on the list, though their pending cases can be delayed indefinitely under the memo.

National Security Rationale

U.S. officials have described the expanded hold as part of enhanced vetting aimed at national security, public safety, and immigration integrity, including concerns about visa overstays and identity verification. However, the policy’s legal basis and DHS authority have been challenged in court by plaintiffs arguing that it exceeds statutory authority and negatively impacts those who are lawfully present pending adjudication.

Exceptions and Clarifications

While there are operational exceptions (e.g., certain national-interest cases), USCIS has not published formal guidance on how individuals can qualify for exceptions. Some immigration attorneys report that national-interest exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, but specific filing procedures remain unclear.

Broader Immigration Policy Context

This pause is part of a broader set of restrictive immigration measures implemented by the current administration. These include expanded visa bond requirements, changes to asylum processing, and termination of specific humanitarian programs like some Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations and family reunification parole programs. However, these measures are distinct policies with separate procedures, eligibility criteria, and legal frameworks.

Impact on Immigrants, Families, and Employers

Affected individuals are experiencing prolonged USCIS processing delays, postponed immigration interviews, and uncertainty regarding employment authorization, educational plans, family reunification, or adjustment of status timelines. Immigration advocates continue to warn of significant humanitarian impacts and economic impacts.

What Affected Applicants Should Know

Immigration applicants and petitioners from affected countries should:Monitor their USCIS case status carefully;Avoid international travel that could jeopardize re-entry;Consult qualified immigration counsel to explore potential exceptions or alternative immigration pathways during this extended pause.

Patricia Elizee is the managing partner of Elizee Law Firm, an immigration law firm located at 1110 Brickell Avenue, Suite 315, Miami, Florida 33131. The firm was founded in 2012 and is known for its compassionate, results-driven approach to immigration law. Ms. Elizee earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law and her Master of Laws from the University of Washington School of Law.