Trump Administration Initiates Sweeping Visa and Green Card Review Following D.C. National Guard Attack

Administration Orders Comprehensive Immigration Review

In a significant policy shift, the Trump administration has initiated a comprehensive review of immigrant visas and Green Cards for individuals originating from Afghanistan and 18 other nations. The directive, announced on Thursday, November 27, 2025, comes in the immediate aftermath of a shooting incident in Washington D.C. that targeted members of the National Guard.

Joseph Edlow, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), stated that President Donald Trump had 'directed a full scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.' This new guidance, effective immediately, applies to all pending applications and those filed on or after November 27, 2025.

Details of the D.C. National Guard Shooting

The policy change was prompted by an 'ambush-style' attack that occurred on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, near the White House and Farragut Square in Washington D.C. Two members of the West Virginia National Guard, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot while on patrol. Specialist Beckstrom tragically succumbed to her injuries, while Staff Sergeant Wolfe remains in critical condition.

The suspect in the shooting has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national. Authorities reported that Lakanwal drove cross-country to carry out the attack, using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. Lakanwal was granted asylum in April 2025 under the Trump administration, having previously worked with U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Scope of the Visa and Green Card Re-evaluation

The review extends to individuals from 19 countries previously identified in a June presidential proclamation as 'countries of concern.' USCIS indicated that the re-examination would consider 'negative, country-specific factors' when assessing applications. In addition to the broad review, the administration ordered an immediate halt to the processing of all immigration applications from Afghanistan.

The 19 countries subject to heightened scrutiny include:

• Total Entry Ban (12 countries): Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
• Partial Restrictions (7 countries): Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

These restrictions are based on concerns regarding national security, high visa overstay rates, insufficient cooperation on removals, and weak vetting systems.

Administration's Stance on Immigration and Security

President Trump described the shooting as a 'terrorist attack' and emphasized the need to ensure national security. The administration's actions underscore a continued focus on tightening immigration policies, with officials stating that 'the protection of this country and of the American people remains paramount.' The review also includes asylum cases approved under the previous administration, reflecting a broader re-evaluation of immigration pathways.