The United States government has reportedly suspended immigration and naturalization processes for citizens of nineteen nations, including several Arab countries. The directive impacts individuals who had already completed citizenship tests or entered the U.S. as of January 2021.
According to the new guidelines, immigration cases originating from the designated countries will be re-evaluated, with a focus on applicants who arrived in the U.S. on or after Inauguration Day. This re-evaluation process includes individual interviews aimed at determining whether applicants pose any potential threat to national security.
Further, scheduled citizenship ceremonies have been canceled, affecting even those applicants who have successfully passed all naturalization tests. These individuals will not be permitted to take the Oath of Allegiance at this time.
The affected nations include Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Iran, Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Chad, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
DZWatch is closely monitoring this developing situation and will provide updates as they become available.
