USCIS Halts Green Card Processing Amid Security Review; UK Boosts Defense Spending with Laser Weapons

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has temporarily paused finalizing some green card applications for refugees and asylum seekers already in the U.S., pending additional security vetting. This action follows President Trump's January executive order calling for maximum vetting of all individuals entering or residing in the U.S., particularly those from regions with identified security risks. The pause affects applications from individuals who have already undergone rigorous screening processes. Separately, USCIS is considering collecting social media data from applicants for asylum, permanent residency, or naturalization. The Trump administration is also reportedly preparing to launch a "gold card" program, offering citizenship for a $5 million payment to the U.S. government. In other news, the UK is increasing its defense spending, with plans to equip four Royal Navy warships with DragonFire laser weapons by 2027. These lasers, costing approximately £10 per shot, can destroy drones and missiles at a fraction of the cost of traditional weaponry. This decision comes amid concerns about the increasing use of drones in attacks, such as the Houthi rebel attack on the British oil ship Cordelia Moon in October 2024. The UK aims to increase defense spending to 2.5% of its economic output by 2027.