The United States government has announced a sweeping review of all Green Cards granted to citizens from 19 countries designated as “countries of concern”, a list that includes Yemen, Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Venezuela among others.
The decision, disclosed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), follows a security incident in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were attacked near the White House. Authorities identified the suspect as an Afghan national, prompting the administration to order stricter immigration vetting measures.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated that he has directed a “full-scale, rigorous re-examination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.” The reassessment will cover both past and current holders of permanent residency from the listed nations.
The 19 countries under review are: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Officials explained that the review aims to ensure that immigration vetting processes meet heightened national security standards, particularly after the recent attack raised concerns about potential gaps in screening. While the administration has not yet announced whether the review will lead to revocations or deportations, President Donald Trump has signaled a tougher stance, declaring plans to “permanently pause migration from all Third World countries”.
Immigration advocates warn that the move could have serious humanitarian consequences, especially for nationals from conflict-affected countries such as Yemen, Afghanistan, and Sudan, where many residents sought refuge in the United States. Critics argue that the blanket review risks stigmatizing entire populations and undermining America’s long-standing role as a destination for asylum seekers.
Meanwhile, supporters of the policy insist that the reassessment is necessary to protect U.S. national security and prevent future incidents. The outcome of the review is expected to shape the future of immigration policy for nationals from the listed countries, with implications for thousands of Green Card holders currently residing in the United States.