Will Indians Be Hit Hard by Trump Admin’s Green Card Crackdown? What We Know

In response to a recent shooting involving two National Guard members by an Afghan national, the Trump administration plans to rigorously re-evaluate Green Cards issued to immigrants from nations deemed concerning. These Permanent Residence Cards, issued by the U.S. government, grant lawful permanent residency, offering a pathway to citizenship and indefinite residency and work rights.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow has initiated a "full-scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern." This directive comes at the behest of US President Donald Trump. Edlow emphasized that safeguarding the nation and its citizens is of utmost importance.

Focus on Specific Countries

The re-examination will focus on individuals from 19 designated high-risk countries. These nations include Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Chad, among others. The policy, effective immediately, applies to immigration requests pending or filed from November 27 onwards. This move aligns with a previous travel ban announced in June, targeting these same countries.

The recent violent incident involved Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. under a resettlement program following the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lakanwal's asylum was approved under Trump's presidency. His actions resulted in the death of Army specialist Sarah Beckstrom and left Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe critically injured.

Impact on Indian Nationals

Indian residents in the United States remain unaffected by the new Green Card scrutiny. The policy allows USCIS officials to factor in country-specific considerations during reviews. This scrutiny is part of a broader effort to enhance national safety, which Edlow insists is non-negotiable.

Edlow criticized the previous administration's resettlement strategies, holding them accountable for endangering American safety. "The protection of this country and of the American people remains paramount, and the American people will not bear the cost of the prior administration's reckless resettlement policies. American safety is non-negotiable," he asserted.