The move marks a new escalation in the immigration tightening campaign following the shooting at two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C.
The two soldiers were shot at two o'clock on November 26, just a few blocks from the White House, in an attack that police called an "attack". The suspect was injured and was taken into on-site control. One of the two soldiers, soldier Sarah Beckstrom, died from severe injuries.
The announcement of the green card review was written by US Citizen Affairs Director (USCIS) Joe Edlow on X: Under the direction of President Donald Trump, I have ordered a comprehensive and rigorous review of all green cards of all citizens from countries of concern.
When asked about the list of counties of concern, the USCIS confirmed it was referring to the decree issued in June. These 19 countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Guinea Zhuge, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Sierra Leone, Vietnam, Vietnam, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
The move comes just hours after authorities identified the suspect in the shooting as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghanistan citizen. The Trump administration immediately expanded the scope of immigration filing reviews, and indefinitely suspended all filings related to Afghanistan citizens.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said: The entire process of processing immigration records related to Afghanistanese people will be immediately suspended for review of the security process - review.
In addition, the Trump administration will also review all cases of asylum approved under former President Joe Biden.
Rahman Salah Lakanwal, who has worked with the US government and CIA in Afghanistan, was brought to the US in 2021 under the Operation Allies welcome program. Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2024 and was approved in April 2025.
Since 2021, more than 190,000 Afghanistanese have resettled in the US, according to the US State Department. However, after the shooting, President Trump accused the previous administration of putting a threat in the country.
In a speech from Mar-a-Lago on the night of November 27, Mr. Trump said: "We must reconsider all Afghanistanans entering the US under Mr. Biden and ensure that anyone who does not benefit the country is deported."
Trump also stressed that 20 million uninspected foreigners have entered the US under Mr. Biden, considering this the biggest national security threat.
The review of green cards - which are documents confirming legal permanent status - opens up the possibility of reversing many stabilized settlement records, creating a wave of concern in the immigration community. The decision is also in line with Trump's tough stance on the divorce and immigration program from the start of his term.
Observers say Washington is entering its strongest immigration tightening period in years, amid the continued debate over security and migration to divide the US.
