How Does Trump’s Immigration Pause Affect Hispanic Immigration Applications?

Full Suspension of Immigration Processing

Review of Benefits Already Granted

Immediate Impact for 19 Countries

Thousands of migrants in the United States and abroad are facing a new wave of uncertainty following the decision by President Donald Trump’s administration to completely halt immigration processing for people from 19 countries.

The order, announced after the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., immediately changes the course of processes that many applicants have been waiting on for years.

Trump’s government ordered the immediate suspension of all immigration applications—including green card or permanent residency applications—for immigrants from 19 countries, as part of sweeping immigration policy changes following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., intensifying the Trump immigration processing pause.

How Does the Suspension of Immigration Processing Affect Hispanics?

Trump immigration processing pause affects Hispanics Photo Shutterstock

The measure was presented in a Department of Homeland Security memorandum and published on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, the agency responsible for processing and approving immigration benefits.

The directive also triggers reviews of previously approved applications, even for those who obtained residency, asylum, or citizenship since January 20, 2021.

USCIS warns that if this re-evaluation detects risks, hidden records, or criminal ties that were not identified before, benefits could be revoked or become subject to new legal action—another major consequence of the Trump immigration processing pause.

Impact for Applicants and the Migrant Community

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For those who do not yet have a final decision, the order means that all decisions are on hold until further institutional notice.

The scope of the measure means that thousands of individuals and families from the 19 targeted countries will not receive final decisions on asylum, residency, or citizenship while the suspension remains in effect under the Trump immigration processing pause.

Their files will remain frozen and subject to an extensive and indefinite review, prolonging uncertainty for migrants living in the United States and for those seeking to regularize their status after long processes.

USCIS recommends that interested individuals consult official sources, immigration information channels, and legal assistance to learn about updates on each case and the possibilities for new filings.

Who Would Be Most Affected?

The suspension also affects people who are already in the country, regardless of their date of entry.

According to USCIS, everyone will be subject to additional scrutiny.

The agency stated that it will conduct a thorough review of all approved benefit applications for migrants who entered the country during former President Joe Biden’s administration.

Immigration processing suspended

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The government’s determination immediately and broadly restricts immigration processing for people born in or citizens of 19 countries considered high concern for national security.

According to the official memorandum, the following are suspended:

Political asylum applications (Form I-589).

Adjustment of status for permanent residency (Form I-485).

Renewals and replacement of permanent resident cards.

Naturalization applications to obtain citizenship.

Travel permits and re-entry documents.

Petitions to preserve residence for naturalization purposes (Form N-470).

The suspension covers a wide range of immigration decisions, including permanent resident cards, citizenship processes, and adjustment-of-status applications for people from the 19 countries the White House considers high risk—central to the Trump immigration processing pause.

Which Processes Are Put on Hold?

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The measure places asylum applications, citizenship paperwork, adjustment of status, and residency renewals on pause.

It also halts processes that had already begun and were close to resolution.

The pause includes additional reviews of benefits already granted since 2021.

The effects of the suspension will continue until USCIS issues new official instructions on case processing.