Trump Administration Reviews Green Card Statuses for 19 Countries

Trump Administration Reviews Green Card Statuses for 19 Countries

The Trump Administration is initiating a comprehensive, rigorous re-examination of green card statuses for nationals from 19 countries, including Sierra Leone, categorized as "of concern." This immigration review follows a recent incident in Washington, D.C., involving the shooting of two National Guard members, which has led to increased scrutiny of immigration protocols.

Joe Edlow, Director of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), announced this decision on X, characterizing the effort as a thorough review of immigration statuses. The attacker in the DC incident was identified by the US Department of Justice as Rahmanullah Lankawal, a national of Afghanistan.

According to reporting by CNN, USCIS has indicated the review will target countries previously listed in June, such as Sierra Leone, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Yemen, Turkmenistan, Togo, and Venezuela. Although specific timelines and procedural details have not been released by officials, the re-examination may entail reassessing security clearances and eligibility for current green card holders.

President Donald Trump, who authorized the review, also stated his administration's intent to implement a “permanent pause on migration from all Third World Countries to allow the US system to fully recover.” While this directive remains broadly framed, analysts suggest it could significantly impact immigrants from economically developing nations, including Sierra Leone, which the United Nations classifies as one of 44 least developed countries.

President Trump asserted that the D.C. shooting highlights what he considers to be America’s “single greatest national security threat.” Immigration experts have cautioned that the re-examination may understandably cause anxiety among lawful permanent residents, particularly those awaiting renewal or status processing decisions.

The announcement has created uncertainty within the Sierra Leonean immigrant community in the United States, especially for those who have maintained permanent residency for several years. Many are currently seeking clarification from U.S. authorities regarding the potential impact on their status and the specific procedures involved in the re-examination process.