U.S. Immigration Overhaul: Trump Pauses Entries from 19 High-Risk Countries and Orders Full Green Card Re-Examination After DC Shooting

Washington, DC (Visas & Travels) — In a swift and sweeping response to the November 26, 2025, shooting of two National Guard members near the White House, President Donald Trump has directed a near-total halt to immigration from 19 designated “high-risk” countries, many classified as developing or conflict-affected nations. The move, announced via a late Thanksgiving Truth Social post, invokes a “permanent pause” on migration from these “Third World Countries” while ordering a comprehensive re-examination of all green cards issued to permanent residents from the affected nations. This escalation, tied directly to the attack allegedly perpetrated by an Afghan asylum seeker, signals a profound tightening of U.S. borders, potentially stranding millions in visa limbo and reshaping global mobility patterns.

The suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal—an Afghan national who collaborated with U.S. intelligence during the Afghanistan War and entered the country in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome—faced charges of assault with intent to kill after ambushing the Guardsmen in a targeted attack. One victim, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, succumbed to her injuries on Thanksgiving, while 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe remains critically wounded. Trump, addressing the nation from Mar-a-Lago, labeled the incident “an act of terror” and a stark reminder of “the single greatest national security threat facing our nation,” blaming prior administrations for inadequate vetting.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow confirmed the directives in a statement, emphasizing “country-specific negative factors” in all future adjudications. Effective immediately, the policy applies to pending applications filed on or after November 27, 2025, and extends to a full audit of existing statuses. This builds on a June 2025 travel ban proclamation that first flagged these nations for deficient screening protocols, now amplified into a broader moratorium.

The 19 High-Risk Countries: A Comprehensive List

The targeted nations—spanning Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean—were identified in the June proclamation as posing elevated security risks due to instability, weak governance, or prior terror affiliations. Citizens from these countries face an indefinite suspension of all visa categories, including family reunification, employment-based (H-1B, L-1), student (F-1), and tourist (B-1/B-2) visas. Refugee and asylum processing is frozen, with no new entries permitted under humanitarian programs like Operation Allies Welcome.

These countries represent a mix of low-income economies (per World Bank classifications) and fragile states, affecting an estimated 50 million potential applicants globally. Partial restrictions (e.g., enhanced screenings) apply to seven others, but the full pause targets these 19 for complete entry denial.

The Green Card Re-Examination: Scope and Process

At Trump’s behest, USCIS has initiated a “full-scale, rigorous re-examination” of every lawful permanent resident (green card holder) from the 19 countries—potentially impacting up to 1.2 million individuals, based on 2024 Census data. This unprecedented audit, effective November 27, 2025, mandates re-interviews, updated biometrics, and reassessments of “negative factors” such as criminal history, ties to sanctioned entities, or perceived security risks.

• Eligibility for Review: All green cards issued since January 20, 2021 (Biden era onward), plus select pre-2021 cases flagged for “inadequate vetting.” Afghan SIV holders are prioritized, with ~233,000 under scrutiny.
• Timeline: Initial notices to begin December 2025; full compliance required within 90 days. Non-response could trigger revocation proceedings.
• Potential Outcomes: Revocation and deportation for “non-compatible” individuals, per Trump’s rhetoric on “reverse migration.” Edlow described it as prioritizing “American lives” over “reckless resettlement.”

Advocacy groups like the International Rescue Committee warn of “catastrophic family separations,” noting many green card holders are long-term U.S. taxpayers with U.S.-born children.

Broader Policy Ramifications: A Hardline Reset

This pause extends Trump’s June travel ban, which already barred full entries from 12 of these nations and imposed partial curbs on seven. It also halts all Biden-era asylum approvals (~20 million cases targeted for reversal) and terminates federal benefits for non-citizens, including SNAP and Medicaid eligibility. The administration frames it as a “recovery” from “unvetted” inflows, but critics, including U.N. agencies, decry it as discriminatory overreach, violating international refugee conventions.

Global Travel and Visa Impacts: What It Means for You

For the 1.5 billion annual international travelers eyeing the U.S., this policy injects unprecedented uncertainty:

• Visa Processing Delays: B-1/B-2 tourist visas from affected countries now face indefinite holds; wait times could exceed 18 months. ESTA waivers for Visa Waiver Program nations remain intact, but secondary screenings at ports like JFK will intensify.
• Family and Student Visas: F-1/M-1 student visas and family-based petitions (IR/CR) are paused, stranding ~150,000 applicants. Universities report early withdrawals from Iranian and Venezuelan cohorts.
• Business and Work Visas: H-1B and L-1 approvals frozen; tech firms warn of talent shortages from Indian firms with Venezuelan ties. Dual-intent O-1 visas may see case-by-case exceptions for “high-value” applicants.
• Humanitarian Pathways: Asylum and refugee caps drop to zero for the 19 countries; SIV backlogs for Afghans balloon to 5+ years. Diversion to Canada (via Express Entry) or EU (via Blue Card) surges 25% in queries.
• Existing Holders: Green card re-exams could trigger appeals; revocation rates may hit 10-15%, per DHS projections, fueling “brain drain” to Australia or the UAE.

Economically, the pause risks a $50 billion hit to U.S. tourism GDP (per WTTC estimates), with winter bookings from the Middle East down 30% already. Diplomatically, allies like the UK and Germany face reciprocal pressures on their asylum systems.

Navigating the Turbulence: Practical Guidance

• Immediate Steps: Check USCIS status via Act 1-800 portal; affected green card holders should consult immigration attorneys for I-90 renewals.
• Alternatives: Pivot to Canada’s IEC program or Portugal’s D7 visa for Schengen access. For U.S. travel, leverage alliances like APEC Business Travel Card.
• Legal Challenges: ACLU lawsuits are filed; expect Supreme Court review by mid-2026.

This policy, born of tragedy, casts a long shadow over America’s immigrant heritage. As borders fortify, global nomads must adapt swiftly—diversifying options and staying abreast of flux. Our deepest condolences to the Beckstrom and Wolfe families; may vigilance yield safety without sacrifice.

This report synthesizes official USCIS and White House releases as of November 28, 2025. Policies are fluid; verify via USCIS.gov or State.gov for updates.