By Staff Reporter

Washington, DC — The Trump administration has placed 19 nations under heightened immigration scrutiny, ordering a full reexamination of all Green Cards issued to individuals from these countries and signalling a dramatic tightening of America’s migration policies.

The move follows a fatal shooting near the White House involving Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan asylum seeker accused of gunning down two National Guard soldiers. The incident has reignited political tensions around national security, border control, and the vetting of foreign nationals.

President Donald Trump, writing on his Truth Social account, accused his predecessor Joe Biden of “reckless” admissions and vowed to reverse what he described as “dangerous immigration oversights.”
“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the US system to fully recover,” Trump declared, adding that his administration is “reviewing and sending back anyone who is not a net asset to the United States.”

19 Countries Under Review

The 19 “countries of concern” — first identified in a June 2025 presidential proclamation — are:

Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Chad, Cuba, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Nationals from these states were already subject to partial or full travel restrictions earlier this year. Now, all Green Card holders from these nations will undergo rigorous reexamination by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which announced the review on November 27, a day after the Washington shooting.

Security Concerns & Triggers

According to the proclamation, these countries were flagged due to concerns over unreliable vetting systems, inability to issue secure identity documents, political turmoil, terrorism risks, and fragile governance structures that complicate US security checks.

A senior administration official said that inadequate cooperation from certain foreign governments has also made it difficult for US agencies to validate applicant information.

Implications for Green Card Holders

Immigrants from the 19 targeted nations could face:

• Intensive background and security re-screenings

• Possible delays or suspension of citizenship applications

• Revocation of permanent residency where inconsistencies arise

• Potential deportation proceedings in severe cases

Legal analysts warn that the sweeping review could affect thousands of individuals who have lived in the US for years, raising concerns about due process and the potential for wrongful revocations.

A Sweeping Reset

Trump has framed the new measures as a necessary reset of the US immigration system, which he argues has been undermined by “years of failed policies.” Critics, however, call the latest actions discriminatory and politically opportunistic, particularly as the country grapples with rising social and political tensions.

With the national debate over immigration showing no signs of cooling, the administration’s crackdown signals the possibility of even more stringent measures in the months ahead.