Trump administration to review green card holders from 19 countries

The Trump administration has announced plans to review green cards issued to immigrants from 19 specific nations. Joseph Edlow, director of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), confirmed that the president instructed a "comprehensive and thorough evaluation of all green cards for every individual from every country of concern."

When questioned by the BBC about which nations were included, USCIS referred to a June White House proclamation naming Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela.

This initiative follows a recent incident in Washington DC where an Afghan national allegedly shot two National Guard members, seriously wounding them. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had arrived in the US in 2021 through a program providing special protections for Afghans after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

President Trump emphasized that the shooting highlights a significant national security risk. Edlow's announcement on social media regarding the broad green card review did not directly mention the attack but stressed the importance of national safety. "Protecting this country and its citizens is our top priority, and Americans should not bear the consequences of the prior administration's resettlement policies," Edlow stated.

Details on the exact process of the re-examination were not provided. The June proclamation cited by USCIS aimed to limit entry of foreign nationals to mitigate threats from "foreign terrorists and other risks to national security and public safety."

Additional countries included in the review process are Burma, Chad, the Republic of Congo, and Libya. Security concerns and high visa overstay rates for business, student, and tourist visas were factors in selecting these nations. The proclamation specifically noted, "The Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group, controls Afghanistan. Afghanistan lacks a reliable central authority for issuing passports or civil documentation and does not have adequate screening and vetting procedures."

The recent attack on US military personnel prompted a strong reaction from President Trump: "This incident highlights the most pressing national security threat our nation faces. The previous administration admitted 20 million unvetted individuals from numerous countries, posing an unacceptable risk to our safety."

Last week, USCIS also announced it would review all refugees admitted under former President Joe Biden. On Wednesday, the US temporarily halted processing of all Afghan immigration applications, citing the need to reassess "security and vetting protocols."

Author’s Analysis: Implications of the Trump Administration’s Green Card Review

The Trump administration’s decision to conduct a comprehensive review of all green cards issued to immigrants from 19 designated “countries of concern” represents a significant escalation in immigration policy following the recent Washington D.C. attack on National Guard members. This policy affects not only new applicants but also holders of permanent resident status and pending immigration applications from these nations. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

The administration frames this move as a necessary enhancement to national security and public safety, characterizing it as a corrective to what it views as insufficient vetting under the previous administration. Official guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services instructs a rigorous re-examination of green card cases and pauses adjudication of related benefits, including naturalization and asylum processes. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

However, the scope and mechanics of this review remain unclear. There is no publicly available detailed process for how existing permanent residents will be assessed, which raises concerns about due process and legal certainty. Immigration lawyers have already reported cancellations of interviews and naturalization ceremonies for affected individuals, indicating immediate operational impacts. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

The practical effect of these changes will likely be prolonged uncertainty for thousands of lawful immigrants, and potential legal challenges to the administration’s authority to reopen long-settled cases. While national security is a legitimate government interest, the broad application to nearly all immigrants from these countries — many of whom have lived in the U.S. for years without incident — may trigger significant controversy and litigation. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

In sum, this policy marks one of the most expansive immigration enforcement actions in recent U.S. history, with profound implications for permanent residents, asylum seekers, and broader U.S. immigration law. The emphasis on vetting and security will likely shape the national discourse and legal responses in the months ahead. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Sources:

• Trump administration will re-examine green card holders from 19 countries