US pause on immigration from 19 countries

The US pauses immigration from 19 high-risk countries following a security incident near the White House

November 30, 2025

Move follows White House security alert, Pakistan omission questioned

Why was Pakistan excluded?

On November 27, 2025, President Donald Trump announced via social media that he intends to “permanently pause” migration from what he termed “Third World Countries.” This announcement was precipitated by a shooting incident near the White House involving an Afghan national.

Here are the key details regarding the decision:

Meaning: The order is a broad, indefinite suspension of migration from developing nations. It goes beyond a temporary freeze, with the President explicitly using the word “permanently.” It is coupled with a directive to federal agencies to rigorously re-examine existing Green Cards and terminate federal benefits for noncitizens.
Affected countries: While the President used the broad term “Third World,” specific administrative actions—such as “rigorous re-examination” of status—are currently focused on a list of 19 “high-risk” countries previously identified by the administration.
Duration: The President stated this is a permanent pause, intended to allow the U.S. system to “fully recover.”

The 19 high-risk countries affected

The following countries are subject to the most immediate and rigorous scrutiny, including visa suspensions and Green Card re-examinations:

Afghanistan
Burma (Myanmar)
Burundi
Chad
Republic of the Congo
Cuba
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Laos
Libya
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Sudan
Togo
Turkmenistan
Venezuela
Yemen

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