Trump administration pauses immigration applications from nationals of 19 countries

The move affects submissions by people from Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and other countries with travel bans or restrictions imposed by Trump this year.

The Trump administration on Tuesday halted immigration applications submitted by nationals from 19 countries that already faced restrictions on travel to the United States, according to a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services memo.

"USCIS has considered that this direction may result in delay to the adjudication of some pending applications and has weighed that consequence against the urgent need for the agency to ensure that applicants are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible," the agency said in a four-page policy memo.

"Ultimately, USCIS has determined that the burden of processing delays that will fall on some applicants is necessary and appropriate in this instance, when weighed against the agency’s obligation to protect and preserve national security," it added.

The New York Times first reported the immigration pause, which applies to both green card and citizenship applicants.

A spokesperson for the USCIS office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new policy Tuesday night.