The Trump administration has launched a sweeping review of green cards held by immigrants from 19 so-called “countries of concern,” a move officials say is aimed at strengthening national security following a high-profile shooting in Washington DC.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) director Joseph Edlow said President Trump had directed a “full-scale, rigorous re-examination” of all permanent residency documents issued to nationals from these countries.
When asked for the list, USCIS referred to a June White House proclamation naming Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, Venezuela and others, chosen based on security risks and high visa-overstay rates.
The announcement comes days after Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal — who arrived in 2021 under a Biden-era protection programme following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan — allegedly shot two National Guard troops near the White House, leaving both critically injured. While Edlow’s statement did not directly mention the attack, Trump said it underscored a “major national security threat,” blaming the previous administration for admitting “unknown and unvetted foreigners.”
The June proclamation cited the Taliban’s control of Afghanistan and the lack of reliable passport and vetting systems as key concerns.
Other countries on the list include Burma, Chad, the Republic of Congo and Libya. The USCIS has provided no details on how the green card review will be conducted.
The move follows a separate agency decision last week to review all refugee admissions made under former President Joe Biden, and on Wednesday the US suspended all new immigration processing for Afghans pending a reassessment of vetting procedures.
Oh dear, still butt hurt, after their pet Israel, got a much deserved mauling from Iran. Can’t imagine Iranians wanting to go to that shit hole, to start with.