US Flags Green Cards From 19 High-Risk Countries for Immediate Review
Following a fatal shooting close to the White House, the US has begun a thorough assessment of Green Cards granted to immigrants from 19 "countries of concern." USCIS said the new regulation applies immediately, but Indian people in the US are not affected because India is not on the high-risk list.
The US government has mandated that immigration officers examine thousands of Green Cards held by citizens of specific high-risk nations. This decision comes shortly after the shooting near the White House that killed a National Guard man.
Joseph Edlow, the director of USCIS, confirmed the action. He clarified that safeguarding the American people is the highest concern and noted that President Donald Trump personally requested the study. Additionally, he accused previous immigration laws of permitting dangerous resettlements.
What Triggered the Policy
The choice was made in response to a fatal attack that occurred earlier this week close to the White House. Rahman Ullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, opened fire on two members of the National Guard.
Army expert Sarah Backstrom, 20, died from her injuries.
Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, is remains in critical condition.
Lakanwal landed in the United States in 2021 amid the emergency evacuation from Afghanistan. His asylum status was approved later during the Trump presidency.
Who Will Be Impacted
USCIS officers will now scrutinize Green Cards given to immigrants from 19 “countries of concern”. They can also consider country-specific risk factors when reviewing future immigration petitions.
List of countries of concern: The impacted countries are:
Burundi, Afghanistan, and Myanmar
Chad
Congo's Republic
Cuba
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti Iran
Laos Libya
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Sudan Togo
Turkmenistan
Venezuela
Yemen
USCIS will conduct a "full-scale, rigorous reexamination" of the status of Green Card holders from certain countries.
Immigration officers can now look again at security information, historical records and any new problems that may have surfaced since the original Green Card was awarded.
This ruling applies immediately to both pending and freshly submitted immigration requests.
Impact on Indian Green Card Holders
This policy change will not impact Indian immigration. India is not on the list of high-risk countries, thus Indian people in the US do not undergo extra screening under the new restrictions.
Green Cards, also known as Permanent Residence Cards, grant long-term legal status in the United States and can eventually lead to citizenship.
Quick View: Who is Affected?
The new policy's effects on the group
19 countries' worth of Green Card holdersGreen cards will be reexamined with additional security checks and an assessment tailored to each country.New candidates from 19 nations Stricter vetting, possible delays and higher risk of extra questions.
Indian Green Card holders/applicants extra impact, as India is not on the “countries of concern” list.
