The Trump administration has announced that it will conduct a fresh review of green cards issued to migrants originating from 19 specific countries. The directive comes from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow, who stated that President Donald Trump has ordered a comprehensive and stringent reassessment of every green card granted to individuals from nations considered high-risk.
When questioned by the BBC about the countries involved, USCIS referred to a White House proclamation issued in June. The proclamation lists several nations, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela. Other countries reportedly included in the review are Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, and Libya.
This development comes shortly after a violent incident in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan national allegedly shot and critically wounded two National Guard soldiers. The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had entered the United States in 2021 through a special program designed to provide protection to Afghans following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
President Trump described the attack as evidence of a significant national security risk. While Edlow’s social media announcement regarding the green card review did not directly reference the incident, he emphasized that safeguarding the nation and its citizens remains the government’s top priority. He also criticized the previous administration’s immigration policies, claiming they placed Americans at risk.
So far, no detailed explanation has been provided on how the re-examination process will be conducted.
The June proclamation referenced by USCIS outlined the administration’s intention to limit the entry of foreign nationals to protect against terrorism and public safety threats. Factors such as national security risks and visa overstay rates for business, student, and tourist visas were cited as reasons for including a country on the list.
The proclamation specifically noted that Afghanistan remains under the control of the Taliban, a globally designated terrorist organization, and lacks a reliable central authority for issuing travel documents or properly screening individuals.
In a related move last week, USCIS also announced a review of all refugees admitted during former President Joe Biden’s administration. Additionally, on Wednesday, the U.S. temporarily halted the processing of all immigration applications from Afghans while authorities reassess security and vetting procedures.
Following the recent attack, President Trump issued a strong statement, asserting that the previous administration allowed millions of unverified individuals into the country, creating a serious threat to national safety and long-term security.
