US Green Card Reviews Tightened: 19 Countries Face Scrutiny After National Guard Shooting
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The US government has tightened its review process for Green Card holders from 19 countries following a shooting incident in Washington DC that left two National Guard members injured. The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal from Afghanistan, was granted asylum just last April despite being vetted 'clean on all checks'. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has indefinitely suspended immigration requests from Afghan nationals and will conduct a thorough review of Green Cards held by citizens of countries previously impacted by the Trump administration's travel ban. These countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated that the review is aimed at ensuring the safety of the American people and will not come at the expense of the country. The move is seen as a response to the shooting incident and the Trump administration's previous calls for a re-examination of Afghan nationals who entered the US under the Biden administration. The US government has come under scrutiny for its handling of Afghan immigrants who assisted in the war effort but were later granted asylum, sparking concerns about national security.
