In a climate of growing uncertainty for migrants in the United States, a Cuban woman has openly shared her experience during a recent appointment to apply for permanent residency.
Her emotional account comes on the heels of the Trump administration's announcement to halt all citizenship and residency processes for immigrants from 19 countries, including Cuba and Venezuela.
"God willing, I hope they grant me my residency because truly, I am all alone in this country," she said tearfully, during an interview with journalist Javier Díaz for Univision.
Her story offers a glimmer of hope amidst the immigration blockade that has caused confusion, frustration, and fear among thousands of applicants who now face frozen processes.
She recounted how she managed to attend her fingerprint appointment without any issues: "I thought something might go wrong, but it didn't, everything went smoothly," she expressed, visibly relieved.
A Shocking Announcement Freezes Thousands of Applications
On December 2, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a memo halting the processing of citizenship and residency applications for citizens from 19 countries deemed "at risk" by the administration.
This measure particularly affects nations with high levels of instability or poverty, such as Cuba, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Haiti, and Venezuela.
Matthew Tragesser, USCIS spokesperson, justified the decision by citing national security priorities. "Citizenship is a privilege, not a right," he stated, adding that the aim is to ensure that "those who become citizens are the best of the best."
The suspension is part of a broader wave of stricter immigration policies spearheaded by former President Donald Trump, who has returned to the White House following his recent reelection.
The immediate catalyst for the new halt was a shooting in Washington where two National Guard members were injured. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who had been granted asylum in April, was arrested, prompting an internal review of admission and naturalization procedures.
Direct Impact: Canceled Interviews and Suspended Ceremonies
The memo's repercussions are already being felt across multiple USCIS offices. Scheduled interviews have been canceled without notice, and citizenship oath ceremonies have been suspended in cities like Houston and Nashville.
"Everything has come to a standstill. It's like a bottleneck, and it's only going to get worse," warned Ana María Schwartz, an immigration attorney in Texas, speaking to the New York Times.
The USCIS has defended the pause as part of a comprehensive review process to ensure that "nothing is off the table until every foreigner is evaluated and examined to the fullest extent possible," according to a post by the agency on social media.
However, the memo goes beyond suspensions. It also includes the reassessment of already issued green cards, the review of asylum decisions made under previous administrations, and the potential revocation of benefits granted to migrants from "banned" countries.
The New York Times estimates that the new regulations could impact over 1.5 million individuals with pending asylum applications and more than 50,000 asylum beneficiaries granted during Joe Biden's presidency.
Together, these changes represent one of the most significant restrictive reforms of the U.S. immigration system in recent decades.
“Not All Immigrants Are Criminals”
In this context of uncertainty, the voice of the Cuban woman stands out. "Not all immigrants are murderers or criminals, or anything like that," she asserted with conviction.
Her testimony challenges the official narrative that links migration with security threats, putting a human face to the plight of thousands trapped in a stalled system.
Her hope—and that of many others—remains strong, albeit tinged with anxiety. For her, successfully completing her process this week was a stroke of luck, an exception that might soon close.
"God willing, they will grant it," she repeated. For someone who arrived alone in the United States, residency is not just a legal status; it is a chance for stability, belonging, and dignity.
Understanding the Impact of Immigration Policy Changes
What prompted the suspension of immigration processes for certain countries?
The suspension was triggered by a shooting incident in Washington involving an Afghan asylum seeker, prompting a review of the admission and naturalization processes.
Which countries are affected by the USCIS memorandum?
The memorandum affects citizens from 19 countries deemed "at risk," including Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, and Haiti.
How has the suspension impacted scheduled immigration interviews and ceremonies?
Many scheduled interviews have been canceled, and citizenship oath ceremonies have been suspended in cities like Houston and Nashville.