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From Ferris Wheels to Peryagame Lobbies: The Evolution of Filipino Holiday Gaming

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction

  2. The Roots of Holiday Gaming in the Filipino Christmas Perya

  3. The Social Fabric of Perya Traditions

  4. Peryagame: How Technology Began to Transform Holiday Play

  5. The Rise of Digital Platforms and the Emergence of Peryagame

  6. Parallels Between Traditional Peryas and Modern Gaming

  7. Why Filipinos Still Seek the Perya Experience

  8. How Peryagame Keeps the Holiday Spirit Alive Year-Round

  9. The Cultural Psychology Behind Holiday Gaming

  10. Conclusion

  11. FAQ

Filipino Christmas is colorful, bright, loud, warm, and familial. Come to any gathering, and youโ€™ll find these staples: ham, queso de bola, a Nativity scene, and a giant parol hanging by the porch.

Besides banquets and vibrant celebrations, Filipinos go to the perya as part of their holiday traditions.

And thanks to digital evolution, the love for Ferris Wheels and camaraderie transcends online through Peryagame.

The Roots of Holiday Gaming in the Filipino Christmas Perya

The Filipino perya is a long-standing tradition. They often appear during fiestas and become especially vibrant during the Christmas season.

These holiday fairs combine rides, food stalls, and games of chance that attract crowds of all ages.

Filipinos who grew up in this environment have the sounds of metal coins clinking on tables and the buzz of players cheering over small wins embedded in their memories.

Perya games were simple but cleverly designed. Color games, spin-the-wheel booths, ring tosses, or bingo sessionsโ€”the thrill of chance made classic games more enjoyable, luring players into maximizing their odds of winning.

Overall, the Christmas perya created a sense of shared excitement that became woven into Filipino cultural memory.

The Social Fabric of Perya Traditions

Community is the lifeblood of the perya. Sure, people played games, but more importantly, they socialized, traded stories, and observed others as entertainment.

Friends gathered around booths, parents taught children their first lessons in playing for fun, and neighbors bonded over rounds of small bets or friendly competition.

This social aspect is crucial for understanding why peryas have endured and why platforms like Peryagame resonate so strongly today.

In a nutshell, Filipinos donโ€™t just seek games; they seek shared experiences, a sense of belonging, and the emotional familiarity of traditions passed down through generations.

Peryagame: How Technology Began to Transform Holiday Play

The first shift from traditional peryas came with the rise of electronic games in malls and amusement centers.

Arcade machines brought a different type of excitement, but they followed the same pattern: quick rounds, small bets or tokens, and instant rewards or feedback.

As technology advanced, Filipino players gravitated toward digital forms of entertainment:

  • Home consoles

  • Computer-based casual games

  • Early mobile gaming

  • Online multiplayer platforms

Still, even as digital play took hold, many of the emotional and cultural needs traditionally satisfied by the perya remained the same.

Peryagame, and other beloved titles within GameZoneโ€™s portfolio, hinge on the same thrill, risk-taking, anticipation, social connection, and accessible fun.

The Rise of Digital Platforms and the Emergence of Peryagame

When mobile internet became more widely available, online gaming platforms gained traction.

Among them, Perya Gameemerged as a modern equivalent to holiday fair entertainment. It offers games inspired by familiar mechanics, presented through a digital interface that fits modern lifestyles.

With this, players could now experience the Perya online with:

  • Real-time interactions

  • Fast-paced rounds

  • Accessible mobile gaming

  • Chance-based entertainment similar to perya favorites

Moreover, Peryagame began circulating within Filipino gaming communities for its ability to recreate familiar sensations of the holiday fair, but without the seasonal limitations.

What existed only in December streets decades ago could now be accessed at any moment.

Parallels Between Traditional Peryas and Modern Gaming

When we say โ€œdigital evolution,โ€ we often think that the shifts are always profound or unprecedented. Excellent examples are chess-playing computers that beat humans and the questionable creative prowess of Artificial Intelligence.

But in the case of Peryagame lobbies, their switch from the physical carnival rides isnโ€™t exactly as dramatic as Stockfish AI defeating a chess grandmaster.

That said, Peryagame has parallels to traditional carnivals that help Filipino gaming thrive in the digital realm:

1. The Spirit of Chance

At the heart of every perya was the exhilarating uncertainty of the next roll, spin, or card reveal.  For example, a perya color wheel or bingo card is not far removed from digital chance-based games.

Peryagame replicates this psychological rhythm with precision. Every quick round, randomized result, and timed reveal echoes the tempo of traditional perya play.

2. Accessibility

Traditional peryas never turned anyone away. Also, the games were easy to understand and inexpensive to play, making them ideal for crowds from all walks of life.

Digital platforms adopted this same inclusive design. Peryagame and other gaming spaces offer intuitive interfaces, low minimum stakes, and mobile compatibility that mirrors the peryaโ€™s open-door feel.

3. Social Connection

The heart of the perya is the communal buzz. It was as much a social space as it was a gaming arena.

Digital gaming environments grew to fulfill that same social niche. While the surroundings changed from town plazas to online rooms, the spirit of shared play persists in Peryagame.

4. Instant Gratification

One of the reasons Christmas carnivals were irresistible was the speed of the feedback. The rapid cycle of action and consequence kept players in a loop of excitement.

Digital gaming preserved that cycle almost perfectly. Online Perya Game provides quick-loading rounds, instant results, and immediate visual or audio cues that mimic the fast-paced feedback of perya booths.

5. Holiday Nostalgia

Filipinos associate games of chance with celebration. Digital platforms maintain that emotional link even outside the Christmas season.

Even long after the rides and booths have been taken down, people remember the anticipation that entailed playing their favorite perya games during the holidays.

Digital platforms tap into that nostalgia by recreating familiar elements: bright colors, fast-paced gameplay, and the sense of shared prospect.

Why Filipinos Still Seek the Perya Experience

Even as society changes, Filipino players seek the fundamental elements holiday peryas offered:

A Sense of Thrill and Fun

Peryas thrive on fast, high-energy play. Quick rounds and suspenseful reveals create a simple but addictive excitement.

Modern platforms tap into the same rhythm, and peryagame delivers that familiar pulse through digital mechanics that mirror classic perya games.

An Escape From Routine

The holiday perya gave people a breather from school, work, and daily responsibilities. That need for a quick mental reset still exists, and digital gaming now fills that role.

Players get the same light, low-commitment break without waiting for the Christmas season.

Community and Shared Experiences

Traditional peryas were built around group energy. Friends and families clustered around booths, reacting together.

Online gaming preserves that social spark through chats, livestreams, and shared results, letting Peryagame users experience a modern version of that communal buzz.

Nostalgia and Holiday Memory

Many Filipinos associate peryas with childhood and Christmas traditions. Digital platforms recreate the atmosphere through familiar pacing and visuals, giving adults an easy way to relive those memories anytime.

As a whole, Filipinos keep seeking the perya experience because the emotional core remains the same. Platforms like Peryagame simply translate that long-loved tradition into a format that fits todayโ€™s lifestyle.

The Cultural Psychology Behind Holiday Gaming

To understand why the evolution from peryas to digital gaming feels so natural, it helps to look at cultural psychology. Filipinos approach play with strong emotional associations. Games are tied to:

Celebration

Games function as an extension of holiday joy. Filipinos instinctively connect play with the warmth of Christmas gatherings, so whether it happens beside a Ferris wheel or inside a peryagame lobby, the act of playing reinforces a festive mood.

Community Identity

Peryas thrived because they brought people together. That instinct hasnโ€™t changed.

Digital platforms simply shift that communal energy online, where group chats, livestream interactions, and shared results recreate the feeling of neighbors clustering around a booth.

Hopefulness

Perya games trained generations to believe that small risks can deliver big emotional payoffs. That hopeful mindset carries over to modern gaming trends, where brief rounds and chance-based mechanics mirror the optimism Filipinos naturally bring to holiday play.

Ritual

The Christmas perya became part of the annual rhythm of Filipino life. Even when circumstances keep physical carnivals from happening, digital spaces bridge the gap.

Peryagame preserves the ritual of year-end play by offering a familiar type of excitement whenever players seek it.

Filipinos are, by nature, communal and optimistic. The shift from Ferris wheels to digital lobbies keeps these values alive in a new environment.

Conclusion

The journey from perya to online gaming platforms illustrates how Filipino traditions adapt over time while retaining their cultural essence.

From the sound of spinning wheels in town plazas to the interactive menus of Peryagame, holiday gaming remains a cherished part of Filipino identity.

Technology has transformed the format, but not the spirit. The thrill, community, anticipation, and celebration continue, proving that the holiday gaming culture has not disappeared. It has simply evolved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Peryagame

1. What is Peryagame?

Peryagame is a digital gaming platform that offers chance-based games inspired by traditional Filipino perya experiences.

2. Why are peryas linked to Christmas traditions?

Christmas peryas have long been part of Filipino festivities, offering entertainment, games, and community gatherings during the holiday season.

3. How does Peryagame relate to traditional perya culture?

It mirrors familiar game mechanics, anticipation-driven play, and social aspects that resemble the vibe of holiday fairs.

4. Why do Filipinos enjoy chance-based games?

They offer excitement, quick rewards, and a sense of shared fun rooted in long-standing cultural traditions.

5. Is the perya influence still visible in modern gaming?

Yes. Many digital platforms reflect perya-style mechanics, pacing, and communal engagement patterns.

Authorโ€™s Bio

Doreen Barnachea is a Filipino content writer with over six years of experience crafting content on a wide variety of subjects. She has mastered storytelling, drawing inspiration from a myriad of thingsโ€”coffee, folklore, freediving spots, and why tennis balls are green (or yellow).

Ms. Barnachea currently writes for GameZone and divides her time between Quezon City and Taguig. When not writing, she enjoys reading, free driving, and doing arts and crafts.

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KIU graduates 2,385 students as it introduces Integrated Bachelorโ€“Master of Pharmacy and specialized programs

Ishaka, Bushenyi โ€” Kampala International University (KIU) today celebrated its 32nd graduation ceremony, awarding degrees to 2,385 graduates, including 66 first-class achievers and five PhD recipients.

Ishaka, Bushenyi โ€” Kampala International University (KIU) today celebrated its 32nd graduation ceremony, awarding degrees to 2,385 graduates, including 66 first-class achievers and five PhD recipients.ย 

The event was held in Ishaka-Bushenyi under the theme: โ€œEmpowering Graduates in the Era of Competence-Based Learning for a Sustainable Futureโ€

The ceremony also marked an academic milestone with the launch of newly accredited programs, including the integrated Bachelor and Master of Pharmacy, MSc in Veterinary Pharmacy and MSc in Pharmacy Economics, the first of their kind in the region.

Among the top graduates, Kizito Yoban, a Bachelor of Information Technology student, was recognized as the best in science with a CGPA of 4.77. Chiburu Regan Julius, a Bachelor of Business Administration student, earned the best in humanities with a CGPA of 4.80. Of the graduands, 53 percent studied STEM disciplines, reflecting national development priorities, while 60 percent were male and 40 percent female.

Al Hajj Hassan Basajjabalaba, Chairman of the KIU Board of Trustees, highlighted the historic nature of the new programs. 

โ€œWe made history with the Integrated Bachelorโ€“Master of Pharmacy, the first in the region, and new programs like Veterinary Pharmacy and Pharmacy Economics. These milestones elevate KIUโ€™s academic leadership,โ€ he said.

He explained that the integrated pharmacy program allows students to study for both bachelorโ€™s and masterโ€™s degrees simultaneously, completing them within six years. 

โ€œYou can start first year and study Bachelorโ€™s and Masterโ€™s at the same time in KIU from January,โ€he guided.

Basajjabalaba emphasized that education should serve communities, not just funding sources. 

He called on the government to expand access to student loans and recommended a gradual rollout of competence-based and problem-based learning, noting that full implementation by 2026 is not feasible without proper staff and student preparation.

Delivering remarks on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni, Thomas Tayebwa praised KIUโ€™s role in advancing education and national development.ย 

Al Hajj Hassan Basajjabalaba, Chairman of the KIU Board of Trustees.

He said, โ€œInvesting in education is a service, not a business. Success comes from character and working towards your goals, not just contacts.โ€

Vice Chancellor Professor Muhammed Ngoma highlighted KIUโ€™s growth over 25 years into a leading East African institution. He praised the universityโ€™s infrastructure, including the near-completed Pharmacy Block, the Hajjati Azida Library, and fully equipped laboratories. 

He also noted the accreditation of nine pharmacy programs, student achievements in national and international competitions, staff promotions, and support for advanced studies.

Professor Ngoma encouraged the graduands to uphold the universityโ€™s values of excellence, integrity, and professionalism. 

โ€œAs you step out of the gates of this great university, remember that your education does not end here. This is the beginning of a new journey, one that calls for creativity, integrity, and service,โ€ he said.

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Police deploy new 162 vehicles and 1,040 motorcycles to strengthen security ahead of elections

New fleet of police vehicles

The Uganda Police Force has strengthened its security operations with the deployment of 162 vehicles and 1,040 motorcycles to regions and sub-counties with an aim to improve visibility, mobility and rapid response during the ongoing election period.

The fleet was officially handed over yesterday by AIGP James Apora, the Director of Logistics and Engineering who said the intervention to enhance grassroots policing.

โ€œThis deployment is meant to enhance capacity, improve service delivery, close security gaps and allow quicker responses to crime during the current elections,โ€ AIGP Apora said.

Under the new distribution arrangement, each sub-county will receive two motorcycles to support foot patrols, community policing and intelligence-led operations at the local level.

โ€œWe urge local leaders to ensure these assets are used responsibly and fully accounted for,โ€ Apora emphasized.

The initiative also supports the policeโ€™s ongoing decentralization strategy, which aims to strengthen the Sub-County Policing Model by ensuring that every sub-county has the tools needed to function as an effective policing point.

AIGP Apora expressed gratitude to the Inspector General of Police, the Minister and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for their support in acquiring the fleet and improving the Forceโ€™s mobility.

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UPDF Artillery destroys ADF camps in operation Shujaa attack

Col. Chris Magezi.

The Uganda Peopleโ€™s Defence Forces (UPDF) have intensified their pursuit of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), launching precise artillery strikes that obliterated two major rebel camps in Mambasa territory last weekend.

According to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, the operations were executed on November 22 and 23 in areas near Babunga village, south of River Epulu where the ADF had established fortified hideouts.

Military intelligence indicates that ADF leader Musa Baluku may have been present in one of the targeted camps during the bombardment. However, his whereabouts and condition remain unclear.

Colonel Chris Magezi, the Acting Director for Defence Public Information confirmed that early field reports show significant rebel losses.

โ€œWell-corroborated accounts from civilians in the vicinity align with our intelligence estimates that the ADF suffered heavy casualties as a result of the artillery strikes,โ€ he said.

He added that the joint Operation Shujaa conducted between the UPDF and the Congolese army, FARDC, continues to exert unrelenting pressure on the militants.

โ€œThe remnants of the ADF are now scattered in small groups across the expansive terrain of eastern DRC as they attempt to evade capture,โ€ Col. Magezi noted.

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Ugandaโ€™s inflation slows to 3.1% in November as food prices fall

Agricultural products on the market.

Ugandaโ€™s headline annual inflation rate eased to 3.1 percent for the 12 months ending November 2025, according to new figures released by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). 

The decline from 3.4 percent in October brings inflation closer to the Bank of Ugandaโ€™s medium-term target, reflecting stabilising prices across key sectors of the economy.

The slowdown was driven mainly by falling food prices, with UBOS reporting a sharp drop in inflation for food crops and related items from 6.1 percent in October to just 1.5 percent in November. Improved supply conditions across the country led to significant price relief for staple foods. Dry beans recorded a negative price change of 10.1 percent, tomatoes fell by 1.1 percent, while sweet potatoes dropped by 2.5 percent.

Core inflation, which excludes food and energy items, also moderated. It declined to 3.2 percent from 3.4 percent in October as both core goods and services registered softer price increases. Services inflation fell to 4.2 percent from 4.5 percent, largely due to reduced costs in passenger air transport and food and beverage services. Core goods inflation eased from 2.6 percent to 2.4 percent, with maize flour prices still rising but at a slower rate of 7.8 percent.

However, not all categories followed the downward trend. Annual Energy, Fuel and Utilities inflation rose sharply to 1.2 percent in November, up from 0.1 percent the previous month. UBOS attributed this increase to a jump in domestic energy costs, including a 12.3 percent surge in charcoal prices and rising firewood costs, which continue to exert pressure on household budgets.

Inflation figures varied significantly across regions. Kampala High Income households registered the highest annual inflation at 5.5 percent, followed by Masaka centre at 4.2 percent, driven mainly by rising prices of clothing, footwear and transport services. Mbale centre recorded the lowest inflation rate in the country at only 0.7 percent, pointing to a more stable price environment in eastern Uganda.

The current easing of inflation is supported by better food supply flows and improvements in distribution infrastructure. The inflation has remained close to the central bankโ€™s target in the near term, though rising household energy costs which introduce temporary upward pressures.

UBOS also highlighted that the consumer basket remains stable despite isolated price shocks, reinforcing optimism that the countryโ€™s inflation trajectory will stay manageable as the year comes to a close.

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Nandala Mafabi urges EC to allow people guard votes after casting them

Forum for Democratic Change candidate, Nathan Nandala Mafabi.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi has urged the Electoral Commission to allow people watch their votes after casting them in the January elections.

โ€œWhy should you chase people? They took about seven months asking people to register, there were only 600,000 who registered, just within a few days, recently, when they called, they have registered up to 3.5 million people again. That shows a clear sign that the Electoral Commission is already rigging electionโ€ he said.

Nandala added, โ€œWe want to advise them, this country belongs to all of us, we donโ€™t want our country to go in flames, let us have a true vote. Let the one who wins, win it very, very objectively, allow people to watch their voteโ€โ€.

Nandala who made the remarks while responding to media ,on the recent electoral commission directive to people to go home after casting their votes during his campaign at Central Market in Entebbe municipality on Thursday, further questioned the essence of chasing people away from the polling stations yet regulations allow them to observe the exercise from a recommended distance.

โ€œWhy are you chasing people from the polling station? What do you want to do that you donโ€™t want people to see? They are fearing that when people see what they are doing, they will know the election wasnโ€™t free and fairโ€ Nandala noted.

Nandala further advised the Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, to allow the Ugandans watch their vote.

โ€œIf you donโ€™t want them to watch, then say thereโ€™s no election, declare the person you want and thatโ€™s what they should do. I am advising everybody, donโ€™t go away, how many are they? I will tell the people of Uganda, it is time you guard your vote. Donโ€™t go away, because in any case, youโ€™re already dying of poverty. Youโ€™d rather die while watching your voteโ€ he said.

While addressing supporters in Entebbe, Nandala promised to revive the countryโ€™s economy through improving the countryโ€™s infrastructure and providing accessible capital to women, youth and small entrepreneurs.

โ€œThe roads, infrastructure is very bad, people are crying lack of water, there are so many street children, there are so many poor mothers of ours who are working in markets but working for moneylenders, Uganda is in dire need of helpโ€ he noted.

โ€œPoverty is all natural and the number of people who are suffering in Uganda currently, 86% are suffering, are beggars, it is only 14% who are a bit better and thatโ€™s those who are really managing to help the 86%โ€.

Nandala further accused government of allowing moneylenders to operate freely while making abnormal profits from the already vulnerable poor citizens, leading to more poverty across the country.

โ€œThe whole president allows moneylenders to be in the whole country and they are everywhere, but they come from one region, which is very unfortunate, I donโ€™t know why they say that that region is the only one which has money, itโ€™s unfortunateโ€ he said.

Nandala further noted that he has a master plan to get Ugandans out of poverty by reviving the countryโ€™s currency which is currently overvalued.

โ€œI am the only one who has a formula, this money which is in houses of people, it is easily cleared, thatโ€™s the advice we gave Modi in India. We said, let everyone put their money on their account, which we told this government, if you put your money on your account, when you are withdrawing, you draw new currency, you donโ€™t withdraw old currencyโ€ he said.

He added, โ€œWe give you a deadline, many people who have billions and billions in their houses are not going to bring it. You know why? They will be asked, Where did you get this money, the money which will be frozen there and then, and you will get new currency, which is fair,โ€ he said

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Police kills NUP supporter at Iganga rally

NUP Iganga rally.

Iganga, Uganda– A political rally led by opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, ended in tragedy on Friday morning after police reportedly opened fire on attendees, leaving one person dead and three others nursing gunshot wounds.

The incident occurred in Iganga District where Bobi Wine had addressed supporters as part of his ongoing mobilization campaign ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Police identified the deceased as Meshach Okello, who was allegedly shot in the head. Three others Samuel Nuwamanya (24), Naminya Banuli (44), and Faima Namusobya (24) were seriously injured and rushed to medical facilities in Iganga for treatment.

According to a statement released by the Uganda Police Force, the shootings happened when a section of the crowd began throwing stones at security personnel. Police say they fired warning shots in response and claim the violence was initiated by “unruly elements” among the crowd.
Fridayโ€™s events add to growing tension as political temperatures rise across the country ahead of the 2026 elections. Opposition politicians have frequently clashed with police during campaign events, with accusations of excessive force and unlawful arrests becoming increasingly common.

Police say they have arrested several suspects in connection with the alleged acts of violence and confirmed that investigations are ongoing.

As the nation processes yet another politically charged tragedy, many are calling for calm and accountability โ€” and for all actors, including security forces, to uphold citizensโ€™ constitutional rights. However, Bobi Wine and his National Unity Platform (NUP) have strongly contested the police version of events. The opposition leader described the shootings as “murder in cold blood,” stating that the victims were peaceful supporters who were leaving the venue when they were attacked. He also alleged that two more individuals had been shot and taken away by the police, though these claims remain unverified.

Eyewitnesses in Iganga have given conflicting accounts, with some confirming that there was panic and a rush as shots rang out, while others insisted the rally had ended without incident until security forces intervened.

โ€œWe were just walking home. Then we heard gunfire and people started running in all directions,โ€ said one eyewitness who preferred to remain anonymous for safety reasons.

The incident has sparked renewed concerns over the handling of opposition rallies and political gatherings. Civil society organizations and human rights defenders have called for an independent investigation into the shooting and urged authorities to guarantee the safety of all Ugandans, regardless of political affiliation.

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Trump orders review of Green Cards from 19 countries after deadly D.C shooting

President Trump.

President Donald J. Trump has ordered the review of all Green Cards issued to immigrants from 19 countries of high-risk, following the fatal shooting of a National Guard member near the White House. 

The order follows the killing of 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and the critical wounding of another service member in an ambush-style attack. Authorities later arrested a 29-year-old Afghan national who had entered the United States under a humanitarian resettlement program in 2021.

President Trump said the attack exposed dangerous weaknesses in Americaโ€™s immigration systems.

โ€œWe must now re-examine every single alien who entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden, and we must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of anyone who does not belong here or add benefit to our country.โ€

Under his directive, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will conduct a full-scale and rigorous reexamination of all Green Cards issued to immigrants from the affected countries. 

These countries include Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Eritrea, Haiti, Venezuela, and several others earlier designated by the administration as posing elevated security concerns.

The review takes effect immediately and applies to all existing Green Card holders from the 19 countries, as well as all pending and newly filed applications. Immigration officers have been ordered to reassess each case under strengthened criteria that now incorporate national-security factors and the reliability of applicantsโ€™ home-country identification systems. USCIS has also suspended all new immigration requests from Afghan nationals while the vetting process is overhauled.

In a separate Thanksgiving message posted shortly before the official announcement, President Trump intensified his criticism of immigration from what he called Third World Countries.

He declared,โ€œI will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States.โ€

He added that his administration would deport any foreign national considered a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization and insisted that only reverse migration could correct the current challenges facing the country.

As USCIS begins the mandated reexamination, Green Card holders from the affected countries now face deep uncertainty, with intensified background checks and possible status reviews expected in the coming weeks. 

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