Trump orders full review of U.S. Green Cards, creating uncertainty for African nationals

Trump orders full review of U.S. Green Cards, creating uncertainty for African nationals

At least ten African countries have been thrown into uncertainty following an order by U.S. President Donald Trump to review all Green Cards issued to immigrants from designated “countries of concern.” The directive comes after a security incident involving members of the D.C. National Guard, prompting what officials describe as a “full-scale re-examination” of immigration policies.

The review was triggered by the shooting of two National Guard service members near the White House by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States through Operation Allies Welcome, a 2021 program for Afghans fleeing the Taliban. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, later died from her injuries, while Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition.

Announcing the order on X, USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said President Trump had instructed a “rigorous re-examination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern,” emphasizing that protecting Americans was “paramount” and criticizing prior resettlement policies.

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Under the new directive, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is authorized to consider “negative, country-specific factors” when reviewing Green Card applications from nationals of 19 countries, ten of which are in Africa. The policy applies to all pending applications and those filed on or after November 27, 2025, giving immigration officers broad discretion to delay approvals, request additional documentation, or issue denials.

The move has significant implications for African migrants, including students, skilled workers, and refugees, as it may prolong visa backlogs, create uncertainty for families, and reinforce concerns about national-security labels disproportionately affecting African nations.

Countries directly impacted include: Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, and Togo.

For African governments, the directive adds diplomatic challenges, while for migrants, it introduces further unpredictability in mobility, employment opportunities abroad, and diaspora remittances, which remain central to the economic stability of many nations on the continent.

Trump orders full review of U.S. Green Cards, creating uncertainty for African nationals