Donald Trump
By Olamilekan Abayomi
The US government has ordered a review of all Green Cards issued to immigrants from 19 countries deemed as “countries of concern” following a shooting incident near the White House. The attack, which left one National Guard member dead and another critically injured, was carried out by an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal. President Donald Trump has blamed the incident on lax immigration policies and vowed to tighten security measures.
The 19 countries affected by the review include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These countries have been identified as having deficient screening and vetting protocols, raising concerns about national security.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has directed a full-scale, rigorous re-examination of every Green Card for every alien from these countries. The move is aimed at ensuring the safety and security of the US and its citizens. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated that the protection of the country and its people remains paramount, and the American public will not bear the cost of previous administrations’ reckless resettlement policies.
The review applies immediately and retroactively to all pending applications filed on or after November 27, 2025. The new guidance also tells USCIS officers to consider “country-specific factors,” like a potential resident’s country of origin, their ability to be vetted, and their perceived risk to national security, as a negative factor in an individual’s consideration for immigration benefits.
The shooting incident has sparked a heated debate on immigration policies, with critics arguing that the move risks stigmatizing entire communities. However, the Trump administration maintains that the review is necessary to protect national security. The FBI has launched an international terrorism investigation into the attack, and agents have searched properties linked to Lakanwal, seizing electronic devices and interviewing relatives.
The incident has also led to an increase in security measures in Washington, with 500 additional troops deployed to the capital. The move has been met with mixed reactions, with some arguing that it is necessary to ensure public safety, while others see it as an overreaction. The situation remains fluid, and the investigation is ongoing.
