U.S. Suspends Immigration Processing for 19 Nations Following Security Review

The United States has temporarily halted the processing of immigration applications for citizens from 19 countries. The action follows a security review prompted by a recent attack in Washington, D.C. Last week, a suspect who is an Afghan national shot and wounded two National Guard members. While the investigation continues, the incident triggered an immediate evaluation of visa and immigration protocols. A government official stated the freeze is a precautionary measure. It allows authorities to review screening procedures for these specific countries, which were not named in the initial announcement. The suspension applies to new applications for permanent residency, often called green cards, and other immigrant visas. Non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourists and students, are not affected by this order. There is no estimated timeline for when processing will resume. The administration indicated the review aims to identify potential security gaps in the current immigration system.