President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his administration will review the immigration status of all permanent residents and Green Card holders from Afghanistan and 18 other countries, following an attack on National Guard troops in Washington that left two service members wounded.
The policy shift comes after a 29-year-old Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly shot two National Guard members in the capital on Wednesday. Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a program established during the Biden administration’s Afghanistan withdrawal that resettled tens of thousands of evacuees.
New Screening Standards Take Effect
US Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow announced updated guidance that allows immigration officers to weigh an applicant’s country of origin as a significant negative factor when evaluating benefits applications.
“My primary responsibility is to ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible,” Edlow stated. “American lives come first.”
The directive instructs officers to assess whether applicants’ home countries can provide secure identity documents or support comprehensive background checks.
19 Countries Targeted in Security Measure
The affected nations match those listed in a June presidential proclamation imposing entry restrictions: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Edlow criticized previous policies, stating the new guidance addresses inadequate vetting standards. He claimed the prior administration had prioritized rapid resettlement from high-risk nations while dismantling security protocols.
Broader Immigration Restrictions Announced
Donald Trump separately declared Friday that his administration would pursue permanent immigration suspension from what he characterized as “Third World countries.”
The enhanced screening policy took effect immediately on November 27, 2025, applying to all pending and newly filed immigration benefit requests. Officials stated the changes strengthen enforcement of Presidential Proclamation 10949, which restricts entry for foreign nationals considered potential security threats.
Military Deployment Remains Contentious Issue
The shooting has intensified ongoing debates regarding National Guard deployment in American cities. The administration’s expanded use of military personnel to address crime has sparked legal challenges and public controversy for months, according to reports.
