United States to Reassess Green Cards for Immigrants from 19 Countries
The Trump administration has announced that it will reassess the Green Cards of immigrants arriving in the United States from 19 countries. This directive comes from President Donald Trump, according to Joseph Edlow, head of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), who confirmed the decision in a statement reported by the BBC.
Edlow explained that the reassessment will involve a full and rigorous review of Green Cards for every foreign national from countries considered a security concern. When asked which countries were included, USCIS pointed to a June announcement from the White House listing the 19 nations.
Background of the June Announcement
The June 4 announcement was titled: “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” The directive stated that the U.S. would impose restrictions on foreign nationals deemed a threat to national security or public safety.
According to the announcement, 12 countries face full entry restrictions: Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
An additional seven countries face partial restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Security Incident Sparks Green Card Review
The renewed scrutiny comes following a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were seriously injured by an Afghan citizen, one of whom later died. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakhanwal, had arrived in the U.S. in 2021 under special immigration protection programs for Afghans following the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
President Trump described the attack as a major national security threat, prompting a reassessment of Green Cards. While USCIS head Joseph Edlow announced the review on social media, the attack itself was not explicitly mentioned in the post.
Edlow emphasized that the protection of the United States and its citizens is the highest priority, and that the American people should not bear the consequences of previous administrations’ unchecked resettlement policies. Details on how the Green Card review will be conducted have not yet been disclosed.
Criteria for Inclusion on the List
According to the June White House announcement, countries were included not only due to security concerns but also because citizens from these nations had previously overstayed visas in the U.S., including business, student, and tourist visas.
Regarding Afghanistan, the announcement noted that the Taliban, classified as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group, controlled much of the country. There was no competent central authority to issue passports or verify documents, and proper screening and verification mechanisms were absent. As a result, the entry of both immigrant and non-immigrant Afghan citizens was restricted.
Historical Context
This move continues policies initiated during Trump’s first term, when he imposed entry bans on citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, citing national security concerns. The 2015 campaign promise stated that entry from certain nations would be halted until U.S. authorities could assess security risks.
The initial bans created immediate challenges for thousands of travelers, immigrants, and Green Card holders, as airlines and immigration authorities scrambled to verify documentation. Some were denied boarding or returned mid-journey.
Trump referred to his 2017 travel ban, which faced legal challenges and amendments but was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court. The current Green Card review extends this approach, now including a broader group of 19 countries and heightened security screening.
USCIS Actions
USCIS has indicated that it will review all refugee approvals issued during the Biden administration to ensure compliance with security and verification protocols. As of Wednesday, all Afghan immigration applications have been temporarily suspended pending review.
The administration asserts that the review aims to strengthen U.S. national security, ensure proper vetting of all immigrants, and prevent potential threats from individuals arriving under previous resettlement programs.
