Security Threats: US to Re-examine Green Card Holders from 19 Countries
In a dramatic escalation of his hardline immigration agenda, President Donald Trump has ordered the US immigrations to comprehensive re-examine green card holders from 19 Countries deemed “countries of concern” by the U.S. government. The directive, announced on November 27, 2025, by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow, targets approximately 3.3 million individuals based on their country of origin, aiming to reassess their eligibility amid heightened national security fears.
The move comes a day after the tragic shooting near the White House that killed 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom and critically injured Andrew Wolfe, 24. The suspect was identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who gained entrance to the U.S. in 2021 through the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome refugee program and was granted asylum in April 2025. He faces charges of assault with intent to kill. Trump quickly dubbed the shooting an “act of terror” in a video address from Mar-a-Lago, pointing the finger at “reckless resettlement policies” of the previous administration and vowing to “terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions.”
The safety of this country and the American people is paramount
As Edlow asserted in the thread on X: “@POTUS directed me to order a full-scale, vigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern. The safety of this country and the American people is paramount, and the American people will not pay the price of the prior administration’s reckless resettlement policies. American safety is non-negotiable.” This is not a blanket revocation but rather a “full-scale” vetting process, possibly including interviews, background checks, and eligibility audits to uncover any “net liabilities” or security risks, using Trump’s phrase. Anyone who does not comply could be placed in deportation proceedings under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The 19-country list reflects those tagged in Trump’s June 4, 2025, presidential proclamation, which imposed travel bans and entry restrictions as part of its efforts to confront “foreign terrorists and other national security threats.” They were identified based on high terrorism risk, weak governance, conflict zones, and poor vetting capabilities, per DHS assessments.
Here’s the breakdown of the 19 countries
- Afghanistan
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Burundi
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Cuba
- Haiti
- Iran
- Laos
- Libya
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
- Venezuela
- Yemen
This review comes after earlier Trump actions that include an indefinite halt to all Afghan immigration processing, announced Wednesday, and a broader probe of Biden-approved asylum cases-the latter affecting more than 200,000 refugees. In the speech, Trump also teased a “permanent pause” on migration from “all Third World Countries,” an indication of more sweeping restrictions to come. Critics, including immigrant rights groups such as AfghanEvac, decry the policy as discriminatory and a product of fear-mongering, since Afghan evacuees have passed “some of the most extensive security vetting” of any migrants.
They also argue it unfairly stigmatizes vetted families and may tear communities apart, particularly since Lakanwal’s asylum was approved under Trump himself. Supporters say it’s a necessary safeguard, pointing to the shooting as proof of vetting failures. As the implementation gears up, green card holders from these countries are encouraged to check for updates at the USCIS and get their documents ready. This may change lives for millions of people: just how far will be too far for security? Share your thoughts.
