US to re-examine green cards issued to immigrants from 19 countries

New Delhi, Nov 28: The Trump administration has announced a sweeping review of green cards issued to immigrants from 19 countries deemed to be of “concern” to US national security.

Joseph Edlow, head of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), said President Donald Trump had directed a “full-scale, rigorous re-examination of every green card for every alien from every country of concern.” When asked which countries were included, the agency referred to a June White House proclamation naming Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia and Venezuela among others.

The list is expected to cover a total of 19 nations. The announcement comes just a day after a serious incident in Washington DC, where an Afghan national shot and critically injured two National Guard soldiers.

The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, arrived in the US in 2021 under a special immigration programme for Afghans following America’s troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. President Trump said the attack highlighted a major national security threat. “This attack underscores the greatest national security threat facing our nation,” he said. “The last administration let in 20 million unknown and unvetted foreigners from all over the world. No country can tolerate such a risk to our very survival.” “The protection of this country and of the American people remains paramount, and the American people will not bear the cost of the prior administration’s reckless resettlement policies,” he wrote.