The U.S. has paused all pending immigration applications from 19 "countries of concern," meaning that even applicants with pending green card applications are on hold.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the new directive in a Dec. 2 policy memo. The agency cited concerns about national security and public safety following the shooting of two National Guard members by a suspect of Afghan nationality. One was killed and another seriously wounded.

The Trump administration said it would reduce the period of time that work permits are valid for refugees, asylees and other immigrants granted legal protections in the U.S.

The new policy will allow the USCIS to reexamine green-card holders that are already residing in the U.S. as it reviews cases that were done under the Biden Administration and indefinitely pauses asylum decisions.

The memo ordered a "re-review" of applications for migrants from 19 countries who arrived on or after Jan. 20, 2021.

The US will reexamine all green cards issued to people from 19 countries “of concern” at President Donald Trump’s direction, as the Trump administration intensifies its immigration crackdown following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced the establishment of a specialized unit to strengthen the ability of America’s immigration system to screen out terrorists, criminal aliens,

President Donald Trump’s administration restricted employment authorization for asylum seekers and other immigrants, the latest bid to increase scrutiny of migrants entering the country.