U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced updated guidance that authorizes officers to consider country-specific factors when adjudicating certain immigration benefit requests involving nationals of 19 countries identified in Presidential Proclamation 10949. This guidance is effective immediately and applies to requests pending or filed on or after Nov. 27, 2025.
USCIS stated that country-specific considerations may include issues like a country’s ability to issue secure identity documents, and that these factors may be treated as significant negative considerations in the agency’s discretionary review.
The 19 countries listed include:
Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
What this may mean (general):
- Applicants from these countries may face increased scrutiny and additional vetting
- Processing delays may occur depending on how USCIS implements the guidance
- Pending cases may be impacted because the policy applies to pending filings as well
Read more (USCIS):
USCIS link: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-implements-additional-national-security-measures-in-the-wake-of-national-guard-shooting-by
If you or a family member may be affected, speaking with experienced immigration counsel before filing (or while a case is pending) can help you understand the risks and prepare an appropriate strategy.
Contact Information
If you or your family members have any questions about how immigration and nationality laws in the United States may affect you, or if you want to access additional information about immigration and nationality laws in the United States or Canada, please do not hesitate to contact the immigration and nationality lawyers at NPZ Law Group. You can reach us by emailing info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 extension 104. We also invite you to visit our website at www.visaserve.com for more information.