Trump Pauses Immigration Decisions for Enhanced Security Checks

President Donald Trump has initiated a pause on numerous immigration proceedings as part of a broader effort to strengthen security verifications. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that approximately 12 million applications for asylum, Green Cards, and citizenship are currently undergoing renewed scrutiny.

Enhanced Security Measures

USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler informed CNN that the agency has introduced new security protocols to improve the evaluation and screening of applicants. This includes expanded access to federal criminal background databases. “Processing continues as we apply these enhanced background check requirements,” Kahler stated. “Any delays in issuing decisions should be brief and resolved shortly.”

Historically, USCIS has utilized FBI databases to cross-reference information and identify individuals seeking asylum or residency with criminal records. However, a report by CBS News, which obtained internal documentation, indicated that the Trump administration is subjecting a significant number of individuals applying for legal immigration benefits to more rigorous security checks and temporarily suspending some cases during the implementation of these changes.

The hardening of security controls stems from a decision by the FBI to grant USCIS greater access to its criminal background database, a move prompted by an executive order from President Trump issued in February. This order directed the Department of Justice, which oversees the FBI, to provide USCIS with access to its criminal background database “to the maximum extent permitted by law.” The executive order specifically noted that “among these offenders may be foreign nationals with criminal histories who have entered or remained in the United States in violation of the immigration laws or who are attempting to violate the criminal laws.”

Internal Directives

Further details emerged in May when USCIS distributed internal guidelines instructing its officers to resubmit pending applications, including those for asylum, Green Cards, and citizenship, for more thorough background checks by the FBI.

Temporary Pause and Past Precedents

CNN reported that this temporary pause has caught immigration lawyers by surprise, prompting them to seek clarification on the reasons behind the interruption in case adjudications. This situation recalls a previous instance in late November when USCIS paused all asylum applications after an Afghan national was accused of shooting two National Guard members. At that time, USCIS Director Joseph Edlow announced that the agency had halted all asylum decisions until it could ensure “that every alien is vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible.”

Case Backlog

An article by Univision highlighted that by the end of June 2025, the agency had registered 11.3 million accumulated case files. By September 30, the close of Fiscal Year 2025, the number of pending cases had risen to 11,651,012. The USCIS directives mandate that officers refrain from approving any pending cases that have not yet undergone the stricter background checks.

This development means that individuals awaiting decisions on their immigration status may experience further delays. The enhanced vetting process aims to ensure greater national security by more thoroughly examining the backgrounds of those seeking to enter or remain in the United States.

Datos clave
| Aspecto | Detalle |
|—|—|
| Número de solicitudes afectadas | Aproximadamente 12 millones |
| Tipos de solicitudes | Asilo, Green Card, Ciudadanía |
| Razón principal | Fortalecimiento de verificaciones de seguridad y acceso a bases de datos criminales |
| Entidad responsable | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) |

The increased scrutiny on immigration applications underscores a heightened focus on national security within the current administration. For individuals navigating the U.S. immigration system, this means a period of potential delays as USCIS implements its enhanced vetting procedures. The agency assures that processing will continue, with the aim of ensuring a more robust screening process for all applicants.

Fuente: Clarin Deportes (https://www.clarin.com/estados-unidos/donald-trump-pone-pausa-decisiones-inmigracion-parte-nuevo-esfuerzo-seguridad_0_ZKlCr0o4Bm.html)

Datos clave