US cancels citizenship ceremonies for migrants from travel ban countries

December 3, 2025

The United States has suspended processing of all immigration applications from 19 countries currently under a travel ban, while the Trump administration considers expanding restrictions to 30 nations. Immigration officials have been directed to halt final decisions on applications and pause naturalization ceremonies for individuals about to become citizens, affecting people from countries mainly in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. This action follows a recent shooting in Washington DC that killed a National Guard soldier, with the suspect being an Afghan national residing in the US.

Who is affected

Migrants from 19 countries (predominantly in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean) who have pending immigration applications
Individuals scheduled for naturalization ceremonies who are on the verge of gaining US citizenship
Migrants from Venezuela, Iran, and Afghanistan who have had citizenship hearings cancelled
Afghan nationals who came to the US under special protection programs for those who worked with US forces
Immigration lawyers and their clients
Green card visa holders from travel ban nations whose visas are being re-examined

What action is being taken

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has stopped final adjudication on all immigration cases from the 19 travel ban countries
Naturalisation ceremonies for migrants are being paused
All asylum decisions have been halted
Green card visas issued to migrants from travel ban nations are being re-examined
Citizenship hearings are being cancelled for clients from affected countries

Why it matters

This represents a significant tightening of US immigration policy that affects thousands of individuals who have already undergone years of application processing and were on the cusp of achieving citizenship. The suspension disrupts the culmination of what is typically a five-year process and reflects the Trump administration's broader approach of linking immigration restrictions to national security concerns, particularly following the recent Washington DC shooting. The policy demonstrates how a single incident involving one individual can trigger sweeping immigration restrictions affecting entire populations from multiple countries, raising questions about proportionality and fairness in immigration enforcement.

What's next

The Trump administration is considering expanding the travel ban order from 19 countries to 30 countries.

Read full article from source: BBC