This decision follows a shooting incident near the White House in Washington, D.C., which resulted in the death of one National Guard member and left another critically wounded.
According to a statement from the head of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency has initiated a 'full‑scale, rigorous re‑examination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.'
The move follows directives from the administration of President Donald J. Trump, as part of efforts to ensure stronger vetting processes.
The 19 countries under scrutiny were identified in a June 2025 travel‑ban proclamation. Among those countries are Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Cuba, Laos, Venezuela, Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan, among others. These nations have been flagged due to concerns about national security risks, including terrorism, instability, and human rights violations.
In addition to the review, the U.S. government has also indefinitely suspended immigration processing for nationals from at least one of these affected countries: Afghanistan. The suspension will remain in place pending further review of security and vetting protocols.
Officials have stated that the re‑examination of Green Cards for nationals from these countries will involve evaluating 'country‑specific negative factors,' which are part of broader efforts to reinforce immigration security and national safety. This re‑evaluation process will include scrutiny of immigration records, criminal backgrounds, and other factors that could indicate potential threats to the U.S.
The announcement has raised concerns among immigrant‑rights advocates, who warn that such broad reviews may unfairly target individuals based solely on their nationality, rather than their individual backgrounds. Critics argue that this could lead to unjust revocations of Green Cards and disrupt the lives of immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for years, and who pose no security threat.
However, some supporters of the measure argue that these reviews are necessary to protect national security, particularly in light of recent security incidents such as the shooting near the White House. The debate surrounding this policy highlights the ongoing tension between national security concerns and the rights of immigrants, a debate that continues to shape U.S. immigration policy.
As the review process moves forward, the fate of many Green Card holders from the affected countries remains uncertain, with some potentially facing visa revocation or deportation. The move is likely to fuel further discussions on the balance between national security and human rights in U.S. immigration practices.
Rania Umutoni
