Department of Homeland Security (DHS) freezes all USCIS cases involving nationals of 19 travel-ban countries

Key facts

• The Trump administration directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to stop final adjudication on all cases involving individuals from 19 countries listed in President Trump’s June proclamation.
• USCIS suspended citizenship ceremonies for legal permanent residents from the affected countries who were ready to be naturalized.
• The suspension covers every form type and halts approvals, denials, and oath ceremonies.
• The policy memo dated Dec. 2 formalized the pause on all immigration applications filed by nationals of the 19 countries and mandated a thorough re-review process.
• Any lifting of the hold requires approval from the USCIS Director or Deputy Director.