India, Jan. 4 -- The Department of Homeland Security is putting a pause on immigration applications from an additional 20 countries after an expansion of travel restrictions took effect January 1, 2026. In a memo released Thursday,U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said that it would pause the review of all pending applications for visas, green cards, citizenship or asylum from immigrants from the additional countries.

The memo further outlines plans to re-review applications of immigrants from these countries as far back as 2021.

The list comprises mainly countries in Africa, including Angola, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

In December, the Trump administration increased the US from 19 to as many as 39, as wel...