FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 3, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s discriminatory pause on immigration applications from non-European countries:

“The administration’s decision to freeze green-card and naturalization applications for people from 19 countries is an outrageous and discriminatory overreach that undermines our values and endangers the lives and futures of countless families. Instead of responding to a single, tragic incident with facts and restraint, the administration has chosen once again to scapegoat immigrants—especially those from predominantly Black, brown, Muslim, and other marginalized nations.

“We have seen this before. We saw it with the Muslim Ban, a policy rooted not in national security but in xenophobia and fearmongering. Today’s action is a continuation of that same shameful agenda. This policy will trigger fear and despair among immigrants who have already endured years of vetting, only now to be told their hopes of citizenship and full participation in this country are suddenly on hold. Due process, individualized review, and evidence-based policy are the cornerstones of a credible national security strategy—not political opportunism.

“Punishing entire populations for the actions of one person is not only unjust—it is un-American. Immigrants from nations across Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and beyond are part of the very fabric of American life—contributing immeasurably to our economy, neighborhoods, and our country’s vitality. They deserve fairness, dignity, and a government that treats them as human beings rather than political pawns.

“I stand firmly with immigrant families, asylum seekers, and all those who came to America in search of liberty and opportunity. The administration must reverse this reckless and unjust suspension immediately. I will continue fighting alongside my colleagues to ensure that our laws reflect our values—not fear, bias, or political manipulation. Immigration should not be weaponized. Citizenship should not be suspended based on birth or nationality. Our nation is better than this.”

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