Stuck in limbo: millions of professionals risk losing legal status under Trump pause
The Trump administration's pause on reviewing visa, green card, work permit, and citizenship applications for individuals from 39 countries has left hundreds of thousands in legal and financial uncertainty. Professionals in fields like medicine, technology, and energy are unable to work or advance in their careers despite prior legal status. The freeze, part of broader immigration restrictions, has disrupted lives and livelihoods while the government updates application review procedures.
- ▪The pause affects people born in 39 countries, including Nigeria, Myanmar, and Venezuela, many of whom are already living and working legally in the U.S.
- ▪Individuals affected include medical professionals, researchers, and STEM workers who now face unemployment and lost opportunities due to frozen applications.
- ▪U.S. citizens married to immigrants from the listed countries are also impacted, as they cannot secure legal status for their spouses during the pause.
- ▪The administration claims the pause is necessary to update policies and procedures for reviewing immigration applications.
- ▪Many affected individuals fear speaking publicly due to concerns their applications could be further jeopardized.
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Deep Dive Immigration Stuck in limbo: millions of professionals risk losing legal status under Trump pause Updated April 28, 202610:34 AM ET Originally published April 28, 20265:00 AM ET Heard on All Things Considered Ximena Bustillo Stuck in limbo: millions of professionals risk losing legal status under Trump pause Listen · 5:56 5:56 Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5775869/nx-s1-9748515" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript The U.S. travel ban against 39 countries has thrown thousands of people into legal limbo, as the Trump administration has paused reviewing visa, green card, work permit, and citizenship applications.
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