Washington, D.C. – In a move that signals a profound escalation in the United States’ immigration enforcement strategy, the Trump administration has officially announced a comprehensive re-examination of Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) held by individuals from 19 specific countries. This directive, issued directly by the White House, mandates a retroactive investigation into the vetting procedures of thousands of legal residents currently living in the U.S.
The announcement was made by Joseph Edlow, the head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), less than 24 hours after a violent attack on National Guard troops near the White House. The policy marks a shift from merely tightening border controls for new arrivals to scrutinizing those who have already been granted permanent status.
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The Trigger: National Security on High Alert
The catalyst for this sweeping policy shift was a targeted shooting incident on Wednesday in Washington, D.C., which left two National Guard members gravely injured. The suspect, identified by law enforcement as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021.
Lakanwal arrived under Operation Allies Welcome, a humanitarian program designed to resettle Afghans who assisted the U.S. mission prior to the withdrawal of American troops. Reports indicate that the suspect may have had prior associations with U.S. intelligence agencies, specifically the CIA, during the conflict in Afghanistan. Despite this background, his alleged involvement in the attack has prompted President Donald Trump to declare the incident a failure of previous vetting protocols.
In a statement following the attack, President Trump characterized the event as the “greatest national security threat facing our nation,” explicitly blaming the previous administration’s admission of “unvetted foreigners.” This rhetoric has now translated into immediate executive action.
The Policy: “Rigorous Re-examination”
Joseph Edlow, leading the USCIS, confirmed that he received a direct presidential directive to initiate a “full-scale, rigorous re-examination of every green card for every alien from every country of concern.”
This language suggests a retrospective audit. Typically, Green Cards are revoked only in cases of fraud or serious criminal convictions. However, this new initiative implies that the government will re-open the original files of lawful permanent residents to search for gaps in their initial vetting or security screening.
While USCIS has not yet released the specific operational details, the agency’s mandate is clear: the protection of the homeland takes precedence over the stability of immigration status. Edlow stated, “The American people will not bear the cost of the prior administration’s reckless resettlement policies.”
For official updates on agency leadership and directives, the public is advised to monitor the USCIS Newsroom: USCIS News & Alerts.
The List: 19 Countries of Concern
When pressed for details regarding which nationals would be subject to this review, USCIS referenced a “June Proclamation” issued by the White House. This proclamation outlines nations that the administration deems to have inadequate information-sharing protocols or active terrorist presences.
The list of 19 countries includes, but is not limited to:
- Afghanistan
- Cuba
- Haiti
- Iran
- Somalia
- Venezuela
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Libya
The administration’s rationale for selecting these specific nations is rooted in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) assessment of identity management capabilities. For instance, the proclamation explicitly states that “Afghanistan lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents,” making it difficult for U.S. officials to verify the backgrounds of applicants.
Information regarding country-specific security designations can be cross-referenced with the U.S. Department of State’s official Country Reports on Terrorism: Country Reports on Terrorism | United States Department of State.
Implications for Green Card Holders
This development is unprecedented in its scope. A “Green Card” (Permanent Resident Card) is generally considered a secure status that leads to citizenship. A blanket review of this nature creates significant uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of residents.
Legal experts warn that “re-examination” could lead to the issuance of Notices of Intent to Rescind (NOIR) if the government claims that the original Green Card was issued in error or based on incomplete information.
The review focuses heavily on the “overstay rate” of business, student, and tourist visas from these nations, as well as the presence of groups designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT), such as the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Broader Context: A Wider Net
This Green Card review is not an isolated event but part of a broader, multi-pronged immigration crackdown.
- Refugee Review: Just last week, USCIS announced a review of all refugees admitted under the administration of former President Joe Biden.
- Afghan Processing Freeze: Concurrent with the Green Card review, the U.S. has indefinitely suspended the processing of all new immigration requests from Afghans, effectively freezing the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) pipeline.
The administration’s stance is that no country can tolerate the risk posed by “unknown and unvetted” individuals. By revisiting the files of those already settled in the U.S., the government is signaling that vetting is now a continuous, lifelong process rather than a one-time checkpoint.
Conclusion and Next Steps
As this situation develops, individuals from the 19 affected countries who hold U.S. Green Cards are urged to ensure their documentation is in order. The government has indicated that national security and public safety are the primary drivers of this policy, and further executive orders regarding immigration enforcement are expected in the coming days.
The Department of Homeland Security generally publishes updates on national security threats and advisory notices here: National Terrorism Advisory System | Homeland Security.
This is a developing story, and the legal challenges to such a sweeping retroactive review are likely to be substantial. However, for now, the directive stands as one of the most significant changes to U.S. residency security policy in recent history.
