Iran Joins Cuba, Venezuela, Somalia, Haiti, Myanmar And Thirteen Other Countries In Facing Harsh Restrictions On Green Card Visa As US Government Orders Full Review

Published on December 1, 2025

Iran Joins Cuba, Venezuela, Somalia, Haiti, Myanmar, and Thirteen Other Countries in Facing Harsh Restrictions on Green Card Visa as US Government Orders Full Review. This move follows a deadly shooting near the White House, which raised national security concerns and led the U.S. government to mandate a full review of Green Cards issued to immigrants from countries deemed high-risk. In an effort to enhance national security, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will reexamine Green Card holders and applicants from 19 countries, potentially delaying or revoking their status. This policy shift underscores the U.S. government’s increased focus on securing its borders and prioritizing safety, particularly in light of recent events that have raised alarm about the risks associated with certain immigration flows.

In a significant move by the U.S. government, the review of Green Cards issued to immigrants from 19 “countries of concern” has been ordered in response to a deadly shooting near the White House. The policy, announced by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), mandates a rigorous reexamination of Green Card holders and future applicants from high-risk countries. The decision highlights national security concerns and aims to bolster safety by preventing dangerous individuals from exploiting immigration policies. While this move may impact many, Indian Green Card holders are not directly affected, as India is not on the high-risk list.

The Trigger Behind the Policy Change

The decision to review Green Cards comes directly after a tragic incident near the White House. On November 20th, 2025, an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, opened fire on two National Guard members stationed near the White House. The attack led to the death of Army specialist Sarah Beckstrom and left Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe critically injured. Lakanwal, who had arrived in the United States in 2021 during the emergency evacuation from Afghanistan, had received asylum under the Trump administration.

Following the incident, President Donald Trump issued an order directing USCIS to review Green Cards for immigrants from 19 high-risk countries. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow confirmed that the move was in response to national security concerns, stating that earlier immigration policies had allowed for potentially risky resettlements. The government’s immediate focus is on ensuring the safety of American citizens and addressing the growing security threats posed by certain international elements.

The Policy Details: Full Review of Green Cards

Under the new directive, USCIS will reexamine Green Cards issued to immigrants from the 19 designated countries. This review will encompass both pending Green Card applications and those already approved. The process will include a recheck of security records, a review of past immigration history, and an investigation into any new concerns that may have arisen since the original approval. Green Card holders from these countries will be subjected to a “full-scale, rigorous reexamination” of their immigration status.

This policy applies not only to individuals already in the U.S. but also to new Green Card applicants. As a result, future applications from immigrants from these nations will be subject to more stringent vetting, including additional background checks, potentially leading to delays in processing and approval.

The policy change is designed to enhance national security by identifying individuals who may pose a threat, such as those with criminal backgrounds or connections to terrorist activities. The review process will also assess whether the current immigration system adequately addresses these risks.

Countries Affected by Green Card Restrictions

The U.S. government has listed 19 countries that it considers to be “countries of concern.” These nations are facing stricter scrutiny in the immigration process due to concerns about security, political instability, and past terrorist activities. USCIS will conduct a more detailed review of Green Card applications and status reviews for individuals from these countries.

Impact on Immigrants and Applicants from Affected Countries

For immigrants who have already obtained Green Cards, the full-scale review could result in delays, additional security checks, or, in extreme cases, the revocation of their Green Card status. Many immigrants from these nations who had previously been approved for permanent residency may now face a reexamination of their status. USCIS will conduct a more thorough investigation into their backgrounds, and if any security concerns arise, individuals could have their Green Cards revoked.

For those who are still in the process of applying for Green Cards, the new policy means they will face stricter vetting, which could delay their applications or lead to additional questions and requests for documentation. It also raises the possibility that applicants from these countries could be denied a Green Card based on the findings of the enhanced review process.

The heightened scrutiny could also affect immigrants who were granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S. Those who obtained their Green Cards through these channels may now find their status under review as well, which could create uncertainty for those who believed their path to citizenship was secure.

Impact on Indian Green Card Holders

Indian immigrants are notably unaffected by this policy, as India is not included in the list of countries facing additional scrutiny. With a large number of Indian nationals in the U.S., particularly those on H-1B visas or holding Green Cards, the exclusion of India from the list comes as a relief. Indian nationals can continue with their immigration processes without worrying about the delays or complications that those from other affected nations may face.

India’s political stability and its long-standing relationship with the U.S. have kept it off the high-risk list. However, this could change if the geopolitical situation shifts, and other countries may be added to the list of nations facing increased immigration scrutiny.

What This Means for Future U.S. Immigration Policy

This policy change marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration practices. By implementing heightened security measures for certain countries, the U.S. government is emphasizing its commitment to national security over the free flow of immigration. This review process could set a precedent for future immigration policies, where national security concerns take precedence over ease of immigration.

Given the nature of the policy, it is likely that more countries could face scrutiny in the future. The U.S. may continue to reevaluate its immigration policies based on emerging security threats and global political instability.

Future applicants from high-risk countries may be subjected to similar processes, with each case being assessed on its individual merit and security risk. Applicants from non-high-risk countries, like India, will likely continue with the current immigration procedures, but the landscape may shift if new security concerns arise.

The Long-Term Effects on Immigrants and U.S. Immigration Policy

For immigrants, this policy change represents a shift in how the U.S. will approach security and immigration. Those affected by the new rules may face delays, uncertainty, and, in some cases, the risk of losing their Green Card status. The U.S. government’s primary focus is to ensure national security, but this increased scrutiny may have long-term effects on the perceptions of immigration in the U.S.

For U.S. immigration policy, this review process could set a precedent for future security measures. Immigration could become more focused on assessing security risks rather than facilitating the movement of people, especially from countries deemed to be high-risk. This could lead to more bureaucratic delays and a stricter approach to immigration, which might further divide public opinion on immigration reform.

The U.S. government’s decision to review Green Cards for citizens of 19 high-risk countries marks a new chapter in the nation’s immigration policy. With national security at the forefront, this move reflects the growing concern over the potential risks posed by certain immigration flows. For those affected, the uncertainty and potential delays in their immigration processes are unsettling. However, it is clear that the U.S. is committed to prioritizing the safety of its citizens, even if it means making changes to its immigration system.

Iran Joins Cuba, Venezuela, Somalia, Haiti, Myanmar, and Thirteen Other Countries in Facing Harsh Restrictions on Green Card Visa as US Government Orders Full Review. This decision follows heightened national security concerns after a deadly shooting near the White House, prompting the U.S. government to tighten scrutiny of Green Card holders and applicants from high-risk countries.

This shift in U.S. immigration policy may have ripple effects for years to come, especially as more countries may be added to the high-risk list. For now, those from the 19 affected countries should prepare for a longer, more intense immigration process, while those from non-high-risk countries, like India, may continue to enjoy a smoother journey. However, it is uncertain whether the landscape will remain the same as security concerns evolve.