Changes to Immigration Policy Affecting Green Card Holders

The Trump administration has implemented significant changes to U.S. immigration policy, particularly affecting Green Card holders and applicants. These changes include a comprehensive review of Green Cards issued to citizens from 19 countries and the introduction of a new biometric entry-exit system for all non-U.S. citizens, set to take effect on December 26, 2023.

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In response to a shooting incident involving an Afghan national, the U.S. government has ordered a re-examination of Green Cards issued to citizens from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and others. This review aims to address national security concerns regarding the vetting processes for these individuals. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has temporarily suspended asylum adjudications while reassessing its procedures. Experts anticipate that this review may result in delays, additional document requests, or changes in the status of some Green Card holders.

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin enforcing a new biometric entry-exit rule that mandates the collection of biometric data from all non-U.S. citizens, including lawful permanent residents. This regulation will require travelers to provide fingerprints, photographs, and possibly iris scans at various entry points. The aim is to enhance immigration oversight and create a comprehensive travel record, which could impact future immigration processes, including naturalization eligibility.

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Critics have voiced concerns regarding the implications of these policy changes. Lisa Sherman Luna, Executive Director at the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, condemned the decision to halt Green Card processing for over 200,000 refugees, arguing it undermines the integrity of the immigration system. Immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch criticized the administration's approach, stating that using a tragic event to halt the asylum system constitutes collective punishment.

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In a statement, Morgan Bailey, a former senior official at DHS, noted that individuals from the affected countries may face increased scrutiny and additional requirements during the application process. President Donald Trump has also suggested exploring the legal authority to revoke U.S. citizenship from naturalized immigrants convicted of crimes, linking this to perceived gaps in the current immigration system. However, legal experts assert that denaturalization requires a court order and cannot be executed unilaterally by the president.

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As the DHS and USCIS continue to review immigration policies, further guidance is expected in the coming weeks. Individuals from the identified high-risk countries should prepare for potential delays and increased scrutiny regarding their immigration status. The administration's actions reflect a broader trend of tightening immigration oversight amid national security concerns.

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• “ Immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch said in a statement: "Using one horrific tragedy as an excuse to grind the entire asylum system to a halt is not leadership; it is collective punishment.” — Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, Immigration Attorney

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• “We can expect the criteria to be broad to give adjudicators significant discretion to consider nationality from these countries as a possible risk factor when analyzing the totality of any relevant evidence,” — Morgan Bailey, Former DHS Official

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• “I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden's Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States.” — Donald Trump, Former President

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These developments signal a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, with potential long-term implications for Green Card holders and applicants from high-risk countries.

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