🇺🇸 U.S. Immigration Review: Focus on 19 Nations, Including Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan 🌍
Hello Readers,
There is significant news regarding U.S. immigration policy that could affect citizens from several countries, including those in the Horn of Africa.
The Trump administration has ordered a re-examination of the residency and work permits for all migrants who entered the U.S. from 19 nations deemed “countries of concern.”
📝 The Scope of the Order
Joseph Edlow, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), stated that President Trump instructed a “strict re-examination of every residency and work permit for all migrants coming from countries of concern.”
The countries cited in the White House proclamation from June include:
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East Africa: Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, and Libya.
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Others: Afghanistan, Yemen, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Venezuela, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, and others.
💥 The Immediate Context
This renewed scrutiny follows a serious incident on Wednesday in Washington D.C., where an Afghan national allegedly shot and severely wounded two National Guard members.
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The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakhanwal, reportedly entered the U.S. in 2021 under a special immigration protection program for Afghans following the U.S. withdrawal.
President Donald Trump stated that the attack highlights a major national security threat. Edlow, in a social media post, asserted that “the safety of this country and the American people is paramount,” but did not specify if the review was solely launched in response to the attack.
📜 Reasons for the Review
The June proclamation cited by the USCIS aims to protect the U.S. from “foreign terrorists and other national and public safety threats.” Reasons for including the 19 countries ranged from security issues to individuals overstaying business, student, and tourist visas.
For instance, the proclamation notes the control of Afghanistan by the Taliban and the lack of a capable governing body to issue reliable documents, preventing proper vetting.
⚖️ What Happens Next?
Details on the exact process and scope of the re-examination have not yet been released.
Separately, the USCIS had already announced last week that it would be reviewing all migrants admitted under the administration of former President Joe Biden. Furthermore, the U.S. announced on Wednesday that it was suspending all immigration processing for Afghanistan until security and vetting procedures could be reviewed.
