Overview
- USCIS director Joseph Edlow announced an indefinite stop to all asylum procedures, citing the need for maximum screening.
- USCIS halted processing of all immigration requests related to Afghan nationals, and the State Department paused issuing visas to Afghans.
- Processing of green cards and naturalizations for citizens of 19 previously designated countries has been halted, and existing green cards for those nationals are being re-examined.
- The government shortened the maximum validity of work permits for refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants from five years to 18 months.
- Immigration lawyers report detentions and canceled interviews as rights groups and some lawmakers denounce the measures as discriminatory and prepare legal challenges, with sectors reliant on foreign workers warning of disruption.