Overview
- USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the full-scale review took effect immediately at the president’s direction.
- The guidance applies to nationals of 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.
- The policy covers both applicants for permanent residency and existing green-card holders from the listed countries.
- Officials say the change strengthens screening for public safety and national security, while experts note revoking permanent residency typically requires proof before an immigration judge.
- The announcement follows reporting on a Washington, D.C., shooting attributed to an Afghan national and coincides with a separate USCIS review of Biden-era refugee admissions.