New Delhi: The United States is preparing to implement stricter immigration measures that could make it more difficult for citizens of certain countries to obtain green cards and other immigration benefits. According to reports from American media outlets, including The New York Times, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has drafted internal guidelines instructing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers to consider an applicant’s nationality from travel-restricted countries as a negative factor when evaluating applications for green cards, parole, or other immigration benefits.
This move stems from policies introduced under former President Donald Trump, who had previously imposed travel bans on several countries. While the new measures would limit benefits for nationals of these countries, they will not affect U.S. citizenship applications. USCIS will continue to consider factors such as community ties, criminal history, and humanitarian needs.
In June 2025, the U.S. applied travel bans to 12 countries: Afghanistan, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, partial restrictions exist for seven countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Citizens from these countries face limitations on permanent entry and eligibility for certain visas.
Although an official announcement of the updated immigration policy has not yet been made, experts suggest that obtaining a green card from restricted countries could become significantly more challenging. Legal and civil rights groups have warned that such measures may prompt new legal challenges.
If implemented, the policy would mark a major acceleration in Trump-era immigration restrictions, reinforcing the administration’s focus on limiting entry from nations previously designated under travel bans.
