Trump Administration Halts Immigration Processing From 19 Countries

The pause affects green cards and citizenship applications, noting ongoing security risks in the aftermath of the National Guard attack.

Parents await interviews for their children at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) district office in New York City on Jan. 29, 2013. John Moore/Getty Images

The Trump administration announced Tuesday it has suspended the processing of all immigration applications from 19 countries, including Afghanistan and Somalia, citing national security and public safety concerns.

The action comes a week after an Afghan national was arrested for shooting two National Guard soldiers near the White House, killing one and critically wounding the other.