WANA (Nov 28) – U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a renewed review of permanent residency permits (green cards) issued to immigrants from several countries, including Iran.

 

The U.S. government announced on Thursday that it has initiated a “comprehensive and stringent review” of all green cards issued to immigrants from what it calls “countries of concern.”

 

Joseph Edlow, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), said the directive came directly from President Trump.

 

Two officials from the Department of Homeland Security told CBS News that 19 countries are included on the list of “countries of concern.”

 

Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, and Venezuela are among them.

 

A U.S. green card is an official identification document that allows foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the United States without being U.S. citizens.

 

The Trump administration has linked the decision to a Wednesday night shooting near the White House in which an Afghan national allegedly wounded two National Guard personnel.

 

U.S. media reports that the full scope of Trump’s directive to re-examine green cards from these countries remains unclear.

 

Earlier this month, the administration ordered an unprecedented review and re-screening of all refugees admitted during former President Joe Biden’s term.

 

Since the shooting incident, the U.S. has suspended all immigration applications from Afghan nationals.

 

Approximately 85,000 Afghans were brought to the United States under Operation Allies Welcome following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Many were initially housed at military bases before being transferred into the country after preliminary vetting.