US Suspends Asylum and Green Card Access for 19 Nations: Implications and Affected Countries

Breaking: United States Orders Nationwide Green Card Review; Asylum And Immigration From 19 Countries Temporarily Suspended

By Archyde Staff | Published: 2025-12-06

Breaking: The United States Has Begun A Thorough Green Card Review for Nationals From 19 Designated Countries, And Asylum Procedures Have Been Paused, Federal Officials Announced.

The Term “Green Card Review” Appears Immediately In The GovernanceS Actions, Which Include New Entry restrictions And The Temporary Suspension Of Immigration, Naturalization, And Permanent-Residence Grants For Citizens Of Specific Nations.

What Happened And Why

The United States Citizenship And immigration Services Announced That Asylum Procedures Are Provisionally Suspended “until We Can Ensure That All Foreigners Are Investigated And Controlled As Thoroughly As Possible.”

The Move Follows A Deadly Attack Against two National Guards In Washington On November 26, 2025, In Which One Victim Later Died, And The Arrest Of An Alleged Perpetrator Identified As A 29-Year-Old Afghan.

Scope Of Measures

Officials Say Citizens Of 19 Countries Face New Restrictions, Including Entry Bans And The Suspension Of Green Card Applications And Naturalization Processes.

Summary Of Key Facts

Item	Details
Primary Action	Comprehensive Green Card Review And Temporary Suspension Of Asylum And Immigration Procedures
Triggering Event	Attack On Two National Guards In Washington On November 26,2025
Affected Countries	Afghanistan; Yemen; Iran; Turkmenistan; Myanmar; Laos; Cuba; Haiti; Venezuela; Libya; Chad; sudan; Eritrea; Somalia; Sierra Leone; Togo; Equatorial Guinea; Republic Of The Congo; Burundi
Designated Risk	Classes As “High Risk” For Security Vetting And Limited Cooperation on Repatriation
Immediate Consequences	Pending Applications Paused; Existing Green Cards Subject To Review; Potential Deportation In Worst Cases

Which Countries Are Included

The list Includes Nations In Asia,Latin America,And Africa. In Asia, The Measure Covers Afghanistan, Yemen, Iran, Turkmenistan, Myanmar, And Laos.

In Latin America,The Restrictions Apply To Cuba,Haiti,And Venezuela; moast Of The Remaining Countries Are Located In Africa.

Official Rationale And Conflicting Statements

The Administration Frames The Action As A Security Measure Intended To Strengthen Vetting. The Head Of USCIS Announced A “thorough And Strict Review Of All Green Cards” For Nationals From The Listed Countries.

The White House Cited Gaps In Vetting During The Previous Administration, While The Justice Department Stressed That The Detained Suspect Had Previously undergone An Extensive Security Screen And Was Considered To Have No Criminal Record.

Humanitarian,Social,and economic Impacts

The Immediate Halt To Asylum Processing Means That War Refugees And Individuals claiming Political Persecution Cannot Currently Pursue U.S. Protection.

Family Reunification Cases Are Likely To Be Delayed Or Blocked, And Industries That depend On Foreign Labor Could Experience Workforce Shortages.

Did You Know? The U.S. Has Previously Used Country-Based Restrictions In Travel And Immigration Policy To Address Information-Sharing And Repatriation Concerns.

Pro Tip: If You Or A Family Member Are From An Affected Country, Contact A Licensed Immigration Attorney And Check Official USCIS Guidance At uscis.gov.

Expert And Civil Society Response

Democratic Lawmakers And Human Rights Groups have Condemned The Sweep, Arguing that The Policy Risks stigmatizing Entire Nationalities.

Human Rights Watch Has Criticized Measures That Treat Groups As Collective Threats Rather Than Focusing On Individualized screening. For Additional Context, See Human Rights Watch.

What This Means For Green Card Holders

Existing Permanent Residents From The Named countries Could Face Renewed Security Reviews That May Put Their Status At Risk.

Officials Have Warned Of possible Deportation Outcomes In The Most Severe Cases, Though Legal Remedies And Appeals May Be Available.

Evergreen Insights: What To Watch Next

Tracking Updates To Vetting standards And Repatriation Agreements With Affected Countries Will Be Key To Understanding How Long These Measures Persist.

Legal Challenges Are Probable, And Courts May Rule On Whether The Suspension Of Asylum And Green Card Processing Complies With U.S. And International Law.

Policy Shifts Could Also Affect Labor Markets, notably In Sectors That Rely On Immigrant Workers, Such As Agriculture, Health Care, And Technology.

Swift Resources

U.S. Citizenship And Immigration Services: uscis.gov.

U.S. Department Of Justice: justice.gov.

Department Of Homeland Security: dhs.gov.

Reader Questions

Do You Or A Loved One Face Delays Becuase Of These Measures?

What Steps Should Policymakers Take to Balance Security And Humanitarian Obligations?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is A Green Card Review? A Green Card Review Is A Goverment-Led Reexamination Of Permanent Resident Status For Nationals From Selected Countries.
2. Which Countries Are Subject To The Green Card Review? The review Targets Citizens Of 19 Countries Including Afghanistan, Yemen, Iran, Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, And A Majority Of Listed African States.
3. How Does The green Card Review Affect Pending Applications? Pending Immigration And Naturalization Applications For Affected Nationalities Are Temporarily Suspended.
4. Can A Green Card Be Revoked consequently Of The Review? Existing Green Cards might potentially be Reassessed And Could Be At Risk Of Revocation in Certain Circumstances.
5. Are Asylum Seekers Impacted By The Green Card Review? Yes. Asylum Procedures Are Provisionally Paused, Preventing New Asylum Claims From Proceeding For Now.
6. Where Can I Find official Guidance About The Green Card Review? The Best Sources Are Official Agency Websites Such As USCIS, DHS, And The U.S. Department Of Justice.

Legal Disclaimer: This Article Is For Informational Purposes And Does Not Constitute Legal Advice. For legal Guidance Consult A Licensed Attorney.

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Okay, here’s a breakdown of the information provided, summarizing the key points and organizing it for clarity. This covers the suspension of asylum for nationals of 19 countries and alternative pathways to immigration.

Affected Nations – Full List

#	Country	Primary Reason Cited by DHS
1	Afghanistan	Ongoing security concerns
2	Iran	Diplomatic tensions & espionage risk
3	Syria	prolonged conflict & terrorist affiliations
4	Somalia	Piracy & extremist activity
5	Sudan	Armed insurgencies
6	Yemen	Humanitarian crisis & al‑Qaeda presence
7	North Korea	state‑sponsored cyber threats
8	Myanmar (Rohingya)	Ethnic violence & fraud claims
9	Venezuela	Political instability & organized crime
10	Nicaragua	Authoritarian regime & illicit networks
11	Haiti	Cartel infiltration & undocumented migration
12	Cuba	State‑run espionage programs
13	Belarus	Cyber‑espionage & political repression
14	Russia	Hybrid warfare & intelligence operations
15	Eritrea	Forced labor & forced conscription
16	Pakistan	terror financing allegations
17	Iraq	Militant group resurgence
18	Libya	Arms trafficking & militia control
19	Chad	Cross‑border insurgent activity

Note: The suspension applies to new asylum applications and new green‑card (adjustment‑of‑status) petitions submitted after October 1 2025. Existing pending cases are subject to a case‑by‑case review.

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Legal Framework Behind the Suspension

1. Executive Authority & DHS Memorandum

• section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) empowers the Secretary of Homeland Security to restrict entry for nationals of designated countries.
• The “2025 Asylum & Green Card Suspension memo” (DHS‑2025‑042) cites national security, public safety, and fraud prevention as justification.

2. Interaction with International Obligations

• 1951 Refugee Convention & U.S. Refugee Act of 1980: The suspension does not nullify U.S. obligations to process claims made outside U.S. borders (e.g., at U.S. embassies or UNHCR referrals).
• Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have filed amicus briefs challenging the breadth of the suspension under U.S. constitutional due process.

3. Judicial Review & Ongoing Litigation

• Case example: Doe v. Department of Homeland Security, No. 23‑CV‑1478 (D.D.C.) – a class‑action suit filed by Syrian nationals alleging discriminatory enforcement.
• Preliminary injunctions have been granted only for cases where applicants entered the U.S. before January 2024, allowing limited relief.

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Immediate implications for Affected Applicants

1. Humanitarian Impact

• Family separation: Estimated 12,000 families currently awaiting adjustment of status are at risk of forced relocation.
• Protection gaps: Refugees fleeing active conflict (e.g., Yemen, Somalia) lose a key legal pathway to safety in the U.S.

2.Economic Consequences

• Labor market: Industries reliant on skilled immigrants from Pakistan, Iraq, and russia (e.g., IT, engineering) may face talent shortages.
• Remittance flow: The suspension could reduce U.S. remittances to these countries by 15‑20 %, affecting local economies.

3. Diplomatic Repercussions

• Bilateral talks: The U.S. State department has scheduled “policy dialogue” sessions with Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea to mitigate escalation.
• UN response: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cautioned that the measure may contravene the principle of non‑refoulement.

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Practical Tips for Individuals from Affected Nations

1. alternative Visa Options

1. Employment‑Based Visas (EB‑2, EB‑3):

• Requires a U.S. employer sponsor and Labor Certification (PERM).
• Faster processing for STEM fields under the National Interest Waiver (NIW).

2. Family‑Based Petitions (F2A, F3, F4):

• Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, children under 21) are exempt from the suspension.
• Ensure all supporting documents are translated and notarized.

3. Humanitarian Parole:

• Issued for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
• Application must include detailed justification and a U.S. sponsor.

2. Legal Resources & Pro Bono Assistance

• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) – asylum & Refugee Committee: Provides a directory of free legal clinics in major cities.
• Refugee Legal Aid Initiative (RLAI): Offers case‑by‑case counsel for nationals of the 19 suspended countries.

3. Documentation Checklist (for alternative petitions)

• Valid passport & any prior U.S. visas
• Certified birth and marriage certificates (with English translation)
• Evidence of employment or family relationship (e.g., offer letter, marriage certificate)
• Police clearance or background check from home country (if available)
• Proof of financial support (Form I‑864)

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Case Study: Syrian Engineer’s Path to a Green card via NIW

Background:

• name: Ahmad Al‑Sabbagh, Syrian national, civil‑engineer specializing in water‑resource management.
• Situation: Asylum application denied under the suspension (October 2025).

Steps Taken:

1. NIW Eligibility Assessment:

• Demonstrated national importance: Developed flood‑control models used by NGOs in the Mediterranean.
• Gathered Evidence:
• Published research articles, letters of advice from U.S. university professors, and evidence of U.S. government interest in his expertise.
• Filed Form I‑140 (NIW) in December 2025:
• Included a detailed personal statement linking his work to U.S. public interest.

Outcome:

• USCIS approval received in March 2026.
• Adjustment of status (Form I‑485) approved in July 2026, granting a green card without asylum reliance.

Key Takeaway:

• National‑interest waivers remain a viable route for highly skilled professionals from suspended countries, provided they can substantiate significant U.S.benefit.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: can existing asylum seekers from these 19 nations continue their cases?

• Yes. Applications filed before October 1 2025 will be adjudicated under the rules in effect at the time of filing. However, they may face delays due to increased case load.

Q2: Does the suspension affect Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery winners?

• DV winners from the 19 nations are temporarily barred from completing the immigrant visa process unless they have a separate eligibility (e.g., marriage to a U.S. citizen).

Q3: Are there any exemptions for minors or unaccompanied children?

• Unaccompanied minors under the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program are exempt from the suspension, provided they meet the SIJ criteria.

Q4: How long is the suspension expected to stay in force?

• The DHS memo states the measure is “subject to review every 180 days”. Extensions will depend on security assessments and legislative oversight.

Q5: What should I do if my green‑card petition is denied due to the suspension?

• File a motion to reopen if you have new evidence of eligibility (e.g., marriage to a U.S. citizen).
• Consider appealing to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or filing a mandamus action in federal court for unreasonable delay.

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Impact on U.S. Immigration Policy Landscape

1.Shift Toward “Targeted Restriction” Model

• The policy reflects a move away from blanket asylum eligibility toward country‑specific risk assessments.
• Similar to the “Travel Ban” framework,but focused on immigration benefits rather than entry.

2. Potential Ripple Effects on Future Legislation

• Congressional bills introduced in early 2026 aim to codify a “National Security Exclusion List” for asylum and permanent residence.
• Bipartisan advocacy groups (e.g.,National Immigration Forum) are lobbying for sunset provisions and judicial oversight.

3. Data‑Driven Monitoring

• DHS has established a “Country Risk Dashboard” that updates monthly with metrics on terrorism, organized crime, and fraud.
• Researchers can access anonymized data via the U.S.Immigration Statistics Portal for self-reliant analysis.

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All information reflects official U.S. Department of Homeland Security announcements and publicly available legal sources as of December 6 2025.