Trump’s Expanded Travel Ban Could Block Green Cards for Immigrants from 12+ Countries – What You Need to Know

As an immigration lawyer with over 23 years of experience helping families navigate U.S. visa and residency processes, I’m closely monitoring the Trump administration’s latest moves on immigration policy. A new report from The New York Times reveals a proposed overhaul that could make it significantly harder – if not impossible – for immigrants from certain countries to secure green cards, asylum, or other legal statuses. If finalized, this isn’t just about border entry; it’s an internal crackdown targeting people already in the U.S. legally.

This development builds on the travel ban President Trump signed in June 2025, which has already restricted entry from high-risk nations. Drawing from internal Department of Homeland Security documents, the policy treats these countries’ “vetting deficiencies” as automatic red flags in discretionary immigration decisions. For my clients and others in similar situations, this means higher denial rates and prolonged uncertainty. Below, I’ll break down the key facts, impacts, and next steps.

The travel ban at a glance

  • Affected countries: Full bans on entry for citizens of 12 nations: Afghanistan, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
  • Partial restrictions: Seven more countries face limits on permanent visas or certain entries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
  • Why now? Trump cited a recent domestic terrorist attack and risks of visa overstays, emphasizing “extreme dangers” from inadequate foreign vetting.
  • Exemptions: Current visa holders, green card holders, athletes for the 2026 World Cup or 2028 Olympics, and Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas (for U.S. allies) are spared from entry bans.

This echoes – but escalates – the first-term travel bans, shifting from mere entry blocks to broader barriers on staying and building lives here.

How the new policy targets green cards and beyond

The real game-changer is the proposed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidance, still in draft form. It instructs officers to weigh “country-specific factors” from the travel ban – like poor document issuance or screening abroad – as major negative factors in reviewing applications. This applies to:

  • Green cards (permanent residency)
  • Asylum claims
  • Parole and other humanitarian relief

Crucially, it excludes naturalization (citizenship) applications, creating a two-tier system. USCIS has ramped up related scrutiny, including expanded social media checks for “anti-American activity” (over 12,500 cases in fiscal 2025) and slashing refugee admissions, prioritizing white South African Afrikaners while turning away war refugees.

Experts call this a “radical change” that upends “settled expectations” for those already vetted and present. As former USCIS official Doug Rand put it: “This is an escalation of the Trump administration’s attack on legal immigration.” It’s not subtle – it’s a de facto extension of the ban into everyday residency decisions.

Who gets hit hardest – And why it matters

If implemented, this policy could spike denials for immigrants from the listed countries, even those with strong cases. Families separated by borders, skilled workers chasing the American dream, and asylum seekers fleeing peril could all face roadblocks. Legal experts like Sarah Pierce of Third Way warn it “predetermines” outcomes by nationality, making reviews anything but impartial: “There is no way that this policy wouldn’t increase denials.”

From a legal standpoint, it’s vulnerable. While Trump has wide latitude on entry bans, applying nationality-based penalties to people *inside* the U.S. could invite lawsuits for discrimination. Michael Valverde, a 20+ year USCIS veteran, notes the novelty: “Viewing difficult-to-validate documents as a negative factor is new and could act as a de facto ban.”

In my practice, I’ve seen how such policies ripple through lives – delayed family reunifications, stalled careers, and emotional tolls. This isn’t abstract; it’s personal.

What should you do? Action steps for affected immigrants

Don’t panic, but act swiftly. If you’re from an impacted country or advising someone who is:

  1. Review your status immediately: Check pending applications (green cards, asylum, etc.) and gather extra evidence of ties to the U.S., like employment or community involvement, to counterbalance “negative factors.”
  2. Consult an immigration attorney: Policies like this evolve fast – we can explore waivers, appeals, or alternative paths (e.g., employment-based visas less tied to discretion).
  3. Monitor USCIS updates: The guidance isn’t final yet; track announcements at uscis.gov.
  4. Prepare for delays: Expect longer processing times and more requests for evidence.

At our firm, we’re here to help decode these changes and fight for your rights. If this sounds like your situation, reach out today at (405) 616-5999 for a confidential consultation. Immigration law is a marathon, not a sprint – and with the right strategy, you can cross the finish line.