The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a substantial policy shift on Thursday, November 28, 2025, initiating a detailed, comprehensive review of all current Green Card holders who are nationals of 19 designated “countries of concern.” The directive, which includes nations like Afghanistan, follows an order from President Donald Trump and aims to enhance national security vetting processes for permanent residents originating from specific regions.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow confirmed the aggressive re-examination shortly after the presidential mandate was shared via social media. The President specifically ordered “a full-scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern,” signaling a heightened scrutiny over individuals granted lawful permanent residency (LPR) status from these areas.
Context Behind the Enhanced Vetting
This pivot toward stringent LPR review immediately followed a high-profile incident in Washington, D.C. The day before the USCIS announcement, two National Guard soldiers were shot and critically wounded near the White House. Authorities swiftly apprehended a suspect, identified as an Afghan national who reportedly entered the United States in 2021.
While the USCIS statement did not explicitly link the policy change to the shooting incident, the timing suggests a direct response to rising concerns over national security threats posed by foreign nationals, even those with LPR status. The administration appears to be leveraging existing immigration laws to re-vet individuals whose background checks may now be deemed insufficient given developing global security pressures.
Defining ‘Countries of Concern’
The USCIS list comprises 19 countries, though the agency has not publicly released the full roster. Historically, such classifications often involve nations identified by the State Department or other intelligence agencies as state sponsors of terrorism, those experiencing significant political instability, or those that pose counterintelligence threats. Afghanistan was explicitly named in the announcement, highlighting the immediate focus on nationals from that region.
For Green Card holders affected by this order, the re-examination could involve several processes, including cross-referencing residency data against updated intelligence databases, conducting further security interviews, and scrutinizing original application materials. The specific criteria and duration for the review remain pending clarification from USCIS.
Implications for Legal Permanent Residents
This expansive review carries significant implications for the hundreds of thousands of legal permanent residents who hail from the designated nations. While Green Card holders possess the right to permanently live and work in the U.S., their status can be revoked if, based on new information, they are found to be inadmissible or deportable under immigration law. Legal experts anticipate potential challenges regarding due process and the retroactive application of security criteria.
The move marks a substantial shift toward post-adjudication vetting, moving beyond initial entry screening to continuous review of existing LPRs. Furthermore, the action underscores the administration’s willingness to use the full extent of immigration enforcement tools to address perceived national security vulnerabilities. Future steps will involve monitoring the execution of the policy, including the resources allocated by USCIS and the potential rise in administrative proceedings targeting Green Card revocations.