Following the shooting in Washington DC that injured two members of the National Guard, one died and another remains in critical condition, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) launched a thorough review process of Green Cards for residents from 19 countries.
The measure comes after a White House proclamation in which President Donald Trump pledged to “permanently pause migration” from “Third World” countries.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow explained that both orders apply to citizens from 19 countries considered “high-risk.” “The lives of Americans come first,” he emphasized in his statements.
“High-Risk” Countries Facing Green Card Reviews
The U.S. government identified these nations due to deficiencies in their screening systems and for posing “significant risks of overstaying their visas in the United States.”
The countries included are:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
According to the current proclamation, some face a total entry ban while others have partial restrictions, including visa limitations. Details are as follows:
- Total entry ban: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
- Partial restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, which will face stricter requirements and limits on visa duration.
USCIS warned that exact application criteria for individual cases, as well as possible exemptions, are yet to be defined.
“My primary responsibility is to ensure that every foreigner is screened and evaluated to the fullest extent possible. This includes an assessment of their origins and motives,” stated Joseph Edlow.
The attack near the White House, which killed Sarah Beckstrom, 20, involved a suspect of Afghan origin. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in a life-or-death struggle.
Both were shot at close range near Farragut Square in downtown Washington. Police took the main shooting suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan, into custody; he remains hospitalized after being wounded by officers.
Image: Opinion
