US to Reexamine Green Cards for Nationals from 19 “Countries of Concern” Amid Immigration Crackdown

In a move that intensifies ongoing efforts to overhaul US immigration policies, the Trump administration has ordered a comprehensive review of all green cards issued to nationals from 19 countries, referred to as “countries of concern.” This directive comes as part of a broader crackdown on immigration, spurred by security concerns following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, DC, earlier this week.

Joe Edlow, the director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), confirmed the decision in a post on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday, stating, “At the direction of @POTUS, I have directed a full scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.”

Which Countries Are Affected?

Though the USCIS has not released a full list of the affected countries, it pointed to a June presidential proclamation that names 19 nations now under heightened scrutiny. These include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

The review follows a tragic event in Washington, DC, where authorities identified the suspect in the shooting as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national. Lakanwal, who had previously worked with the US government, including the CIA, entered the US in 2021 as part of President Joe Biden’s “Operation Allies Welcome” program after assisting American forces in Afghanistan. He applied for asylum in 2024, which was granted by the Trump administration in April 2025.

Heightened Immigration Review

The shooting incident has prompted further action by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees USCIS. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that all immigration cases related to Afghan nationals are now under indefinite review. “Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped pending further review of security and vetting protocols,” she said in a statement.

The DHS also announced that it would review all asylum cases approved during the Biden administration. This move is part of the broader agenda to tighten immigration vetting processes and address what the Trump administration sees as a significant national security threat.

Trump Blames Biden Administration for Security Breach

In a video statement from his Mar-a-Lago estate on Wednesday evening, former President Donald Trump blamed the Biden administration for allowing the alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, into the country. Trump argued that the shooting underscored what he described as the “single greatest national security threat” facing the US today.

“We must now reexamine every single alien who’s entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden,” Trump said, calling for stricter measures to ensure the removal of individuals who do not “belong here” or contribute positively to the nation’s security.

Trump also emphasized his concerns about what he claimed were “20 million unknown and unvetted foreigners” who entered the US during Biden’s tenure, labeling the influx a “risk to our very survival.”

The Green Card Review: A Step in Trump’s Immigration Overhaul

The reexamination of green cards issued to individuals from these 19 countries is the latest in a series of measures aimed at reshaping US immigration policies. Unlike refugee and asylum programs, which have already been restricted under the Trump administration, green cards grant lawful permanent resident status to foreigners who have been vetted and approved for long-term stay in the US.

A green card holder has the right to live and work in the US indefinitely, and after five years, can apply for citizenship. However, Trump’s immigration policies have consistently aimed at limiting both legal and illegal immigration, particularly from countries deemed security risks.

The Trump administration has also pushed for greater vetting and security checks, including more thorough background investigations for individuals applying for asylum or green cards. The green card reexamination initiative will likely impact thousands of immigrants who have been granted permanent residency in the US in recent years, particularly those from conflict-ridden or politically unstable regions.

Conclusion

As the Trump administration ramps up its immigration enforcement and security measures, the reexamination of green cards and the review of asylum cases signal a more aggressive stance on immigration. Critics argue that these actions could lead to increased discrimination and further restrict opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers, while proponents insist that these steps are necessary to safeguard national security.

As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the US will continue to confront a delicate balancing act between maintaining security and upholding its long-standing tradition as a nation of immigrants.