A December 2nd memo from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) instructed USCIS to temporarily halt all visa processing for pending benefits requests for nationals from 19 countries currently classified as “high risk.” USCIS has also placed a hold on all applications for asylum and withholding of removal (Form I-589). The 19 countries affected by the policy memo are the following:
The memo also directs USCIS to re-review previously submitted petitions by applicants from these 19 countries, instructing the agency’s officers to conduct interviews and secondary interviews as needed to ensure full compliance with US laws and regulations.
The duration of the pause will be 90 days from the issuance of the policy memo. To read the memo, click here