Story perspectives

Trump Orders Green Card Review for 19 'Concern' Countries

11/30/2025

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a review of green cards for immigrants from 19 countries deemed 'of concern' after a Washington, D.C., shooting involving an Afghan national.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow announced the directive and said the review would tighten vetting for safety.
The 19-country list includes Afghanistan, Haiti, and Venezuela.
The review follows Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s attack and his Biden-era resettlement.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration Act of 1924, also known as the National Origins Act, established strict quotas that limited immigration from countries like Afghanistan and Haiti to just 2% of their 1890 populations. This legislation reflected xenophobic attitudes and aimed to preserve U.S. ethnic homogeneity. The recent review of green cards for immigrants from 19 countries underscores the enduring impact of these restrictive policies on contemporary immigration debates.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a review of green cards for immigrants from 19 countries deemed 'of concern' after a Washington, D.C., shooting involving an Afghan national.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow announced the directive and said the review would tighten vetting for safety.
The 19-country list includes Afghanistan, Haiti, and Venezuela.
The review follows Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s attack and his Biden-era resettlement.

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