In the final weeks of 2025, the United States introduced a series of major immigration measures that together signal a clear shift toward stricter, security-focused immigration processing. These changes come from a new Presidential Proclamation issued on December 16, 2025, combined with updated U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) national security policies, a pause in asylum adjudications, and shorter validity periods for work permits.
For individuals planning to travel to the United States, apply for a visa, adjust their status, seek asylum, or renew employment authorization, these changes have very real and immediate consequences. Understanding how they fit together and what they mean in practice for your country and your situation is essential before making any immigration or travel decisions.
A New Presidential Proclamation Expanding Entry Restrictions as of January 1, 2026
On December 16, 2025, the White House published a Presidential Proclamation titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States”. This proclamation expands and modifies earlier restrictions first introduced under Proclamation 10949 (June 4, 2025) and takes effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1, 2026.
The key purpose of the proclamation, according to the White House, is to prevent entry into the United States when U.S. authorities cannot reliably verify identity, criminal history, or security risk due to deficiencies in certain countries’ documentation systems, information-sharing practices, or internal security conditions.
Countries Subject to a Full Suspension of Entry
For nationals of the following countries, entry into the United States is fully suspended for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. In practical terms, this means that most people from these countries cannot obtain a U.S. visa or enter the United States, unless they fall under a very narrow exception such as lawful permanent residence or a rare national-interest waiver.
- Afghanistan
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
- Burkina Faso
- Mali
- Niger
- South Sudan
- Syria
The proclamation also imposes a full suspension of entry for anyone traveling on Palestinian Authority–issued or endorsed travel documents, regardless of nationality
Countries Subject to Partial Entry Restrictions: What This Actually Means
A second group of countries is subject to what the proclamation calls partial entry restrictions. For the general public, it is important to understand that “partial” does not simply mean more paperwork or longer delays.
In most cases, key nonimmigrant visa categories are suspended, particularly B-1/B-2 visitor visas (business and tourism), as well as F, M, and J visas (students and exchange visitors). Immigrant visas are also restricted and subject to enhanced scrutiny, and any remaining visas may be issued for shorter validity periods.
The countries affected by these partial restrictions are:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Dominica
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
For nationals of countries such as Antigua and Barbuda or Dominica, this means that B-1/B-2 visitor visas are suspended, not merely delayed or limited, and consular officers are instructed to reduce the validity of any other nonimmigrant visas to the extent permitted by law.
The proclamation also clarifies that Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously under partial restrictions, are now subject to full suspension of entry, while Turkmenistan has seen limited easing for certain nonimmigrant visas due to improved cooperation, though immigrant visa restrictions remain in place.
Who May Still Be Exempt
The proclamation preserves limited exemptions for:
- U.S. lawful permanent residents
- Dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non-restricted country
- Certain diplomatic and international organization visa holders
- Athletes traveling for major international sporting events
- Individuals granted a discretionary national-interest exception
These exemptions are narrowly defined and assessed case by case by U.S. authorities, as set out in Section 6 of the proclamation.
Increased USCIS Security Screening for Applications Filed Inside the U.S.
At the same time as the expanded entry restrictions, USCIS implemented new national security screening measures effective November 27, 2025.
Under this guidance, USCIS officers are now explicitly authorized to treat country-specific risk factors as significant negative considerations when reviewing immigration benefit applications. These factors may include the reliability of identity documents, intelligence and security concerns, and broader public safety considerations tied to the applicant’s country of origin.
As a result, many applications filed by individuals from countries designated as high-risk are now paused or subject to significantly longer processing times. This includes, among others, applications for adjustment of status (Form I-485), green card renewal or replacement (Form I-90), removal of conditions (Form I-751), and travel documents (Form I-131).
USCIS has also confirmed that it will re-examine certain previously approved immigration benefits for individuals from affected countries who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021, which may involve mandatory in-person interviews and renewed security determinations, with few or no interview waivers.
Increased Border Scrutiny, Social Media, and Biometric Collection: What Travelers Should Know
In parallel with expanded entry restrictions and heightened USCIS screening, U.S. authorities have significantly increased border-level identity verification and discretionary screening measures, affecting travelers at ports of entry and departure.
In December 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published a notice in the Federal Register indicating that officers may collect up to five years of social media information from certain travelers who require visas to enter the United States. While this measure is directed primarily at visa-required nationals, it has raised broader concerns among travelers, including Canadians, about the scope of questioning and inspection at the border.
Although Canadian citizens remain visa-exempt and are not directly subject to this social media disclosure requirement, U.S. border officers retain broad authority to question travelers and request access to electronic devices, including phones and laptops, during inspection. Such searches typically occur in escalated situations, such as secondary inspection, where an officer has concerns related to admissibility, travel purpose, prior immigration history, or compliance.
In addition to these discretionary practices, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security finalized a major regulatory change on November 20, 2025, through the publication of the Final Rule titled “Collection of Biometric Data from Aliens Upon Entry to and Departure from the United States.” This rule, which takes effect on December 26, 2025, authorizes CBP to collect facial biometric data from all noncitizens upon entry to and exit from the United States at airports, land borders, seaports, and other authorized points of departure.
Importantly, the final rule removes prior exemptions, including those that previously applied to most Canadian visitors, and expands biometric collection beyond pilot programs to include land crossings, pedestrian exits, private aircraft, vehicles, and sea departures. While U.S. citizens may opt out of facial biometric collection and undergo manual passport inspection, noncitizens are enrolled in DHS’s biometric identity management system, where biometric data may be retained for extended periods.
Taken together, these developments reflect a broader shift toward automated, biometric, and risk-based border enforcement, where identity verification, travel history, and discretionary assessment increasingly intersect. While the vast majority of travelers continue to cross the border without incident, these measures underscore the importance of understanding how prior immigration history, criminal records, and travel patterns may influence inspection outcomes at U.S. ports of entry.
Asylum Applications: A Pause on Final Decisions
USCIS has also ordered a pause on final decisions in asylum cases (Form I-589) while it conducts a comprehensive review of asylum screening and security procedures. Although asylum applications may still be filed and interviews may still take place, final decisions are delayed until the pause is lifted by USCIS leadership.
During this period, asylum applicants should expect longer timelines, possible re-interviews, and expanded vetting.
Shorter Work Permits Going Forward
Another important change affects employment authorization. According to USCIS policy updates relating to Form I-765, the maximum validity of many Employment Authorization Documents has been reduced.
For applications filed or pending on or after December 5, 2025, EADs are generally limited to 18 months for refugees, asylees, individuals with withholding of removal, and applicants with pending asylum or adjustment of status cases. In addition, under statutory requirements implemented through H.R. 1 and published in the Federal Register on July 22, 2025, certain categories are limited to one-year EADs or less.
What to Expect in 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, these measures point to a continued emphasis on national security screening, fewer discretionary waivers, more in-person interviews, and longer processing times across many immigration categories. Additional reviews of country designations and further operational changes by USCIS are expected as U.S. authorities assess and implement the December 16 Presidential Proclamation.
Recent developments also illustrate a broader pattern of policy volatility. In late 2025, U.S. authorities directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to pause the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, commonly known as the green card lottery, following a high-profile security incident. The DV Program, which allocates up to 50,000 immigrant visas annually to nationals of underrepresented countries, was created by Congress and has long been considered a relatively stable and predictable pathway to U.S. permanent residence. Its suspension, although expected to face legal challenges, demonstrates that even long-standing, congressionally established immigration programs may be restricted or paused through executive action when national security concerns are invoked.
For individuals from countries subject to full or partial entry restrictions—and increasingly for those relying on discretionary or historically stable programs, immigration planning in 2026 will likely require greater lead time, careful documentation, and professional guidance before filing applications or making travel plans. More broadly, these changes signal fewer predictable immigration pathways, increased vetting, and heightened exposure to rapid, security-driven policy shifts.
How Exeo Can Help
Exeo assists individuals and families navigating U.S. immigration during periods of heightened scrutiny and rapid policy change. Our team can help assess how these measures apply to your specific situation, identify potential exemptions or risks, prepare applications that anticipate enhanced screening, and advise on timing and travel considerations.
Contact Exeo to discuss how these changes may affect your immigration plans.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, policies, and enforcement practices may change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances.
