Post by : Rameen Ariff

The Trump administration has announced a major review of green cards issued to immigrants from 19 countries, following concerns about national security. Joseph Edlow, head of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, confirmed that President Donald Trump has directed a “full-scale, rigorous re-examination” of all green cards held by individuals from countries considered a security risk.

The move comes after an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly shot two National Guard troops in Washington DC on Wednesday, leaving both critically injured. Lakanwal had arrived in the United States in 2021 under a special program that offered immigration protections to Afghans after America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. President Trump described the attack as a clear national security threat, emphasizing the need to reassess immigration policies.

While Edlow did not explicitly link the green card review to the recent attack, he stressed that protecting the American people is the administration’s top priority. The review will cover immigrants from countries listed in a June White House proclamation, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela, as well as other nations such as Burma, Chad, the Republic of Congo, and Libya. The proclamation cites security concerns and high rates of visa overstays as reasons for including these countries.

According to the proclamation, Afghanistan remains under Taliban control, lacks effective central authority for issuing passports, and does not have proper screening and vetting measures, which heightens risks to the United States. Edlow stated that previous immigration policies had allowed individuals from unsafe regions to enter without adequate checks, posing a serious risk to national safety.

In addition to the green card review, the Citizenship and Immigration Services recently announced a review of refugees admitted under the Biden administration. Following the Washington DC attack, the agency temporarily suspended processing all Afghan immigration requests pending a review of security and vetting procedures.

The Trump administration’s new measures highlight an increased focus on national security and stricter immigration controls for individuals from high-risk countries. The review aims to ensure that immigrants entering the United States do not pose a threat to public safety, reflecting a broader policy shift toward tighter scrutiny and enhanced protections for American citizens.

This development marks a significant change in U.S. immigration enforcement and is expected to impact thousands of green card holders from multiple countries under scrutiny.

#Political News #World News