U.S. Orders Nationwide Review of Green Cards: What Immigrants and Permanent Residents Need to Know

The U.S. government has announced a sweeping re-examination of green cards issued to immigrants from 19 “countries of concern.” This marks one of the most significant immigration policy shifts in recent years. The directive, issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under orders from President Donald J. Trump, could affect thousands of lawful permanent residents, visa applicants, and families currently navigating the immigration system.

Why the U.S. Is Re-examining Green Cards

The decision follows a fatal shooting in Washington, D.C., involving a suspect identified as an Afghan national. In response, the government implemented rapid and strict immigration measures, citing national security concerns.

USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow confirmed that USCIS will begin a “full-scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.” This includes individuals who already hold lawful permanent resident status.

Who Is Affected? The 19 “Countries of Concern”

The affected countries come from a June 2025 presidential proclamation aimed at restricting entry from nations that allegedly pose elevated security risks.

Fully Restricted Countries (12):

Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen

Partially Restricted Countries (7):

Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela

Under this new policy, both new applications and past approvals may be reviewed. This means even long-time green card holders from these countries may have their cases re-opened or re-investigated.

What the Green Card Review Actually Means

The government will now apply “negative, country-specific factors” when evaluating green card holders and applicants. This includes:

• Whether the person’s home country can issue secure, reliable identification documents

  
  

• The overall security situation in that country

  
  

• The U.S. government’s confidence in the country’s record-keeping and background-check abilities

  
  

This is a major change. In the past, immigration decisions focused on individual behavior and background checks. Now, the applicant’s country of origin alone can trigger additional scrutiny even if the person has lived peacefully in the U.S. for many years.

Immediate Effects: Delays, Pauses, and Possible Re-Reviews

Along with the green card re-evaluation, the U.S. has reportedly halted immigration processing for certain nationalities especially Afghan nationals.

This includes:

• Visa applications

• Pending green card applications

• Asylum cases (including some previously approved cases)

• Family-based petitions

  
  

This shift means the government is not only tightening future immigration but also reassessing past decisions, which is unprecedented on this scale.

Why Critics Are Concerned

Immigration advocates, human rights groups, and several legal scholars have raised strong concerns. Many argue that the policy unfairly punishes entire communities for the actions of one individual.

Critics say:

• This approach replaces individual justice with blanket suspicion.

• Long-time green card holders with clean records may now face uncertainty, extra questioning, or even the risk of losing status.

• The measure could damage trust in the U.S. immigration system and create fear within immigrant communities.

• Sudden policy changes may violate long-standing due-process protections for lawful residents.

  
  

Human-rights organizations warn that these broad measures could lead to unnecessary deportations, family separations, and legal instability.

What This Means for Immigrants and Green Card Holders

1. Your green card may be re-evaluated.

Even long-time permanent residents with no criminal history may undergo additional review.

2. Pending applications may face long delays or temporary suspension.

This includes visas, adjustment of status, asylum cases, and humanitarian programs.

3. Family members abroad may face increased difficulty immigrating to the U.S.

Country-based restrictions may slow or block new entries.

4. Cases may be reviewed based on country conditions—not your personal history.

This is a significant change from previous U.S. immigration procedures.

5. Legal guidance is now more important than ever.

A qualified immigration attorney can monitor your case, advise you on risks, and help protect your legal status. U.S. immigration law is constantly evolving, and the current shift shows how quickly policies can change after major events. A routine background check or past approval does not guarantee security under new rules.

For immigrants, this means:

• A previously stable immigration status may suddenly face new challenges.

• Travel, renewal applications, or planned petitions may require legal strategy.

• Some individuals may benefit from proactive steps, such as gathering documents, updating addresses, or consulting an attorney before filing anything new.

The nationwide review of green cards from 19 “countries of concern” marks a major turn in U.S. immigration policy. While the government cites national security objectives, the implications for immigrants especially lawful permanent residents already living in the U.S. are significant.

If you or a family member are from one of the affected countries, this is the time to stay informed and get professional legal support. Changes are happening quickly, and understanding your rights and options can help protect your future in the United States.

Our immigration law firm is here to help you navigate these uncertain times with clarity, confidence, and expert legal guidance.

Patricia Elizee is the managing partner of the Elizee Law Firm, an immigration law firm located at 1110 Brickell Avenue, Suite 315, Miami, Florida 33131. The firm was founded in 2012 and is known for its compassionate, results-driven approach to immigration law. Ms. Elizee earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law and her Master of Laws from the University of Washington School of Law.