Washington, Dec 19 (NationPress) Over 100 Democratic lawmakers have called on the Trump administration to promptly end an indefinite suspension of immigration and citizenship applications impacting nationals from 19 countries outlined in President Donald Trump’s travel ban. They caution that this decision is causing significant hardship for legally vetted immigrants and their families.

In a letter dated December 18 and directed to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow, the lawmakers expressed concern that USCIS’s announcement made on December 2 has led to the suspension or cancellation of green card applications, naturalization interviews, and even oath ceremonies, solely based on the applicants’ national origins.

The lawmakers wrote, “Despite the Trump Administration’s assertions of targeting the ‘worst of the worst,’ it is actually harming those who have adhered to all processes and undergone thorough vetting to obtain legal status.”

They described this sweeping action as “unjustified, discriminatory, and contrary to the foundational principles of our nation.” They demand an immediate end to this pause.

The letter, spearheaded by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security and Enforcement, along with Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, includes testimonies from across the nation about applicants being informed that their cases have been halted, seemingly due to their country of origin.

Lawmakers pointed out that the pause is particularly detrimental for those who had successfully navigated all legal channels to gain citizenship. In some instances, individuals who had passed their citizenship tests were abruptly “pulled out of line by USCIS officers moments prior to their oath ceremonies,” as stated in the letter.

They emphasized, “Naturalization ceremonies are celebrations, where future US citizens invite friends and family to witness their achievement.” Denying this significant milestone to those who have waited years, if not decades, to pledge the Oath of Allegiance, and delaying their naturalization through no fault of their own is a severe injustice.

Furthermore, the lawmakers criticized the ambiguity surrounding the policy, highlighting that USCIS has not clarified how long the pause will be in effect or what additional vetting, if any, will be required. They warned that “Without clarity on the duration of this broad pause, future citizens will remain in limbo indefinitely, and families will continue to be separated.”

They also sought assurances that applicants affected by the pause would not lose their eligibility for naturalization or face enforcement actions if they fall out of status while their cases are suspended.

President Trump’s travel ban, initially announced earlier this year, restricts travel and legal immigration from a list of countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, and Yemen, among others, with additional nations later added or subjected to partial restrictions, according to congressional documents.

This policy revives one of Trump’s hallmark immigration strategies from his first term, which initially sparked legal challenges and widespread protests before being upheld in a modified form by the US Supreme Court.