USCIS Widens Freeze on Immigration Benefits for Nationals of 19 Countries – Employers Should Expect Delays Across Multiple Categories
USCIS recently clarified that its December 2, 2025 policy – which was initially described as a review of green cards issued to nationals of 19 “high-risk” countries — extends much further than originally understood. A broad range of immigration benefits for individuals from these countries is now subject to adjudicative holds and heightened vetting, affecting both pending and previously approved applications, as follows:
In addition to reviewing green cards for nationals of 19 designated countries (Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Yemen), USCIS is now pausing a wide range of immigration benefits, including EADs, H-1Bs, I-140s and status extensions. In addition, DHS has indefinitely suspended processing of immigration requests related to Afghan nationals and is reexamining asylum cases approved under the Biden Administration.
USCIS has confirmed that its Dec. 2 policy memo, which listed only a narrow set of applications, was not exhaustive and that it has expanded the pause through follow-up communications and operational practice.
Employers should prepare for adjudication delays, additional vetting and potential interruption of work authorization for affected employees. It will be crucial for employers of foreign nationals from the 19 countries named above to closely monitor their employees’ status.
