In the wake of the attack on two US National Guard personnel in Washington, DC, the Trump administration has ordered a full review of the permanent residence status – so-called “green cards” – of immigrants from 19 countries.
An Afghan national who entered the US in 2021 after working with the US military and intelligence services in Afghanistan has been arrested in connection with the shooting near the White House on Wednesday.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump confirmed the death of one of two National Guard members who were shot.
In response to the firing, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow said on Twitter: “I have directed a full-scale, rigorous re-examination of every green card for every alien from every country of concern.”
Countries listed include Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Cuba, Venezuela
A full-scale review of residency status, conducted by USCIS and on the orders of President Donald Trump, follows the identification of the suspect in Wednesday’s shooting as Afghan national Rahmanullah L.
The 19 countries under scrutiny were named in the June proclamation, which initially imposed an entry ban on citizens of states lacking screening and testing protocols.
The countries listed include Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen, as well as Cuba, Venezuela, Chad and Eritrea.
Critics warned of the policy risks of penalizing hundreds of thousands of lawful permanent residents based solely on nationality.
It is unclear whether the review will lead to annulment or deportation.
For now, the administration has framed it as a protective measure aimed at national security in light of the DC attack.
Edited by Carl Sexton