United State President Donald Trump White House cites national security risks as USCIS orders rigorous reassessment of past vetting amid renewed scrutiny following Washington, D.C. shooting
The United States government has announced an extensive re-evaluation of all green cards issued to immigrants from 19 nations designated as “countries of concern,” a move officials say is aimed at addressing national security vulnerabilities and tightening past screening procedures.
President Donald Trump authorized the review following recommendations from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Joseph Edlow, Director of USCIS, stated that the President had directed a “full-scale, rigorous re-examination of every green card for every alien from every country of concern,” signaling one of the most far-reaching immigration checks in recent years.
The White House had previously issued a proclamation in June outlining the rationale behind the list of countries, which includes Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, Venezuela, Burma, Chad, the Republic of Congo, and Libya. The document cited inadequate passport systems, limited cooperation in security information-sharing, and high rates of visa overstays as key factors that could place a nation under heightened scrutiny.
The renewed emphasis on immigration vetting follows a disturbing incident in Washington, D.C., where Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national admitted under a special program for at-risk Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, allegedly shot and critically injured two National Guard troops. While USCIS did not directly link the policy shift to the attack, the event has intensified political pressure on the administration to strengthen security protocols.
President Trump described the shooting as evidence of what he called a mounting national security threat. He criticized the previous administration’s immigration policies, claiming they allowed millions of inadequately vetted foreign nationals into the country, and argued that the U.S. cannot “tolerate such a risk to our very survival.”
Although USCIS has not yet released specific procedures or timelines for the green card review, the June proclamation referred to by the agency outlines strict entry limitations for foreign nationals from targeted regions. It warns of risks associated with “foreign terrorists and other national security and public safety threats” and suggests that further restrictions may follow.
The policy announcement also comes amid a broader overhaul of immigration procedures. Last week, USCIS confirmed a full review of refugee admissions processed under former President Joe Biden. Additionally, the agency has temporarily halted the processing of all immigration applications from Afghan nationals as it reassesses its security and vetting systems.
Edlow emphasized that protecting the United States remains the administration’s foremost priority. “The American people will not bear the cost of the prior administration’s reckless resettlement policies,” he said, signaling that more stringent measures may be forthcoming as the government reevaluates its approach to immigration and national security.
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