Trump Orders Review Of Green Cards From 19 ‘Countries Of Concern’

The Trump administration has launched a sweeping review of all Green Cards previously issued to immigrants from 19 nations it describes as “countries of concern,” marking one of the most far-reaching immigration actions since Trump’s return to office.

Officials at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed that President Trump directed a “rigorous, full-scale reexamination” of every permanent residency card granted to nationals of the affected countries.

The review follows a deadly shooting near the White House involving two members of the National Guard, a case in which the suspect was identified as an Afghan national who had entered the U.S. through a resettlement program in 2021.

The 19 countries named include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Although the list spans regions with different political contexts, the administration says each country poses heightened security or vetting challenges.

Under the new directive, Green Card holders from these nations will be assessed under updated “country-specific negative factors,” which go beyond the criteria used when their residency was originally approved. Immigration lawyers warn that such a review could put long-settled residents at risk of additional scrutiny, delays, or even potential revocation of their status if new concerns are raised.

The order has intensified debate over the administration’s broader immigration crackdown. Supporters argue the move is essential for national security, especially in light of recent violent incidents. Critics, however, say the policy unfairly targets people based solely on nationality, raises due-process concerns, and may cause widespread fear among families who have lived legally in the United States for years.

Beyond Green Card reviews, the administration is also slowing or suspending certain immigration processes for nationals of some of the listed countries, adding another layer of uncertainty for those seeking to reunite with family or adjust their status.

As departments begin implementing the directive, advocacy groups are bracing for what could become one of the most consequential immigration audits in recent U.S. history.