The Trump administration is preparing to undertake an extensive verification operation involving thousands of permanent residents.
All green cards issued to citizens of Haiti and 18 other countries deemed “sensitive” will undergo a new review. The administration announced this policy as part of enhanced immigration measures following the tragic shooting that claimed two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.
CNN reported, citing a post on X by the immigration services director: “On @POTUS’s instruction, I have initiated a comprehensive and thorough review of every green card for nationals from countries considered concerning,” stated Joe Edlow. Edlow is the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which manages green cards and naturalizations.
19 Nations Targeted, Including Haiti
In response to CNN’s inquiries about the targeted countries, USCIS cited a June presidential proclamation.
This list identifies 19 states now classified as “countries of concern” by Washington: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
In an official statement, USCIS said immigration services for these nationals will now consider “country-specific negative factors,” especially their ability to produce reliable and secure identification. The administration believes some countries cannot guarantee authentic passports or identity documents, so they justify more rigorous scrutiny, even after green cards are issued.
A green card grants its holder legal permanent resident status in the United States. This procedure differs from the protocols designed for refugees and asylum seekers, which have already been significantly restricted by recent government directives, although legislation requires refugees to submit a green card application within one year of entering the United States.
A Turning Point Following the Washington Shooting
This intensification of measures comes amid particularly heightened tensions.
The day before Joe Edlow’s announcement, federal services had identified the suspected perpetrator of the attack against two National Guard members in Washington: Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan citizen.
According to CNN, Lakanwal had previously collaborated with American authorities, notably within the CIA. He was evacuated to the United States in 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome, an initiative launched by the Biden administration following the withdrawal of American forces in August 2021. Lakanwal filed for asylum in 2024.
In an unexpected turn of events, it was the Trump administration itself that granted him asylum in April 2025, according to CNN.
The incident sent shockwaves through the political landscape and served as additional ammunition for the White House to justify a comprehensive strengthening of the immigration system.
During a video address from Mar-a-Lago, his Florida residence, President Donald Trump directly criticized his predecessor’s handling of the situation.
This attack “represents the most serious national security threat our country faces,” President Trump declared. “We must now reassess every foreigner who entered our territory from Afghanistan under Biden and take all necessary measures to ensure the deportation of any foreigner, regardless of their origin, who doesn’t belong here or brings no added value to our nation,” added the MAGA movement leader.
Trump also criticized what he termed a “massive wave of 20 million uncontrolled and unidentified immigrants” who entered American territory during the previous administration, portraying them as “an existential threat to our nation.”
Afghan Case Suspension and Asylum Review Under Biden
The tightening of immigration policy extends beyond green cards. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees USCIS, has declared an immediate moratorium on all cases involving Afghan nationals. “Effective immediately, we are suspending the processing of any applications from Afghan nationals indefinitely, pending a complete reassessment of security and verification protocols,” stated Tricia McLaughlin, Deputy Secretary of DHS, during a press briefing with CNN.
She added that “the Trump administration is undertaking a comprehensive review of all asylum statuses granted under the Biden presidency.” This unprecedented initiative could impact thousands of current humanitarian protection beneficiaries.
This announcement has sparked serious concerns within the Afghan community in the United States. The Alliance of Afghan Communities in the United States strongly condemned the shooting while warning about potential repercussions in countless cases. “The isolated acts of one individual should not compromise or hinder the legitimate applications of thousands of deserving Afghans who fully meet American legal criteria,” the organization emphasized, urging federal authorities to maintain normal processing of Afghan cases, as CNN reported.
According to State Department data, more than 190,000 Afghans have been welcomed into the United States since the 2021 military withdrawal, representing one of the largest resettlement operations in recent history.
A New Level in Anti-Immigration Rhetoric
For the American administration, this thorough review of green cards issued to citizens from 19 countries aligns with an already established policy of stringency.
This initiative aligns perfectly with Trump’s commitments to intensify deportations and completely restructure the immigration system, which he claims serves as a gateway for individuals he labels as “dangerous” or “uncontrollable.”
According to CNN, this comprehensive reassessment of green cards could impact long-term residents in the United States who actively contribute to the economy, pay their taxes, and, in many cases, are parents of American children. The authorities have not yet specified the exact criteria that could potentially challenge one’s permanent resident status.
