This procedural change includes initiating a comprehensive review of all current Green Card holders and a stringent reassessment of applications currently pending for permanent residency, affecting foreign nationals, including refugees and green card applicants.

The changes come after an Afghan national fired at National Guards last week, resulting in the death of a female guard and serious injuries to a male officer. In response, President Trump announced a temporary halt to processing refugee applications and visas for Afghan passport holders.

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According to the Associated Press, decisions on asylum cases are paused, green card applications from certain countries are under review, and visa processing for Afghans has been temporarily stopped. The administration is also reviewing cases of individuals who entered the U.S. during former President Biden’s tenure.

Critics, including refugee advocates, have called the measures “collective punishment” and questioned the necessity of reopening previously processed cases. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow said all asylum decisions will remain on hold until identities and backgrounds of foreign nationals are fully verified.

The November 26 incident involved Rahmanullah Lankwal, an Afghan national granted asylum earlier this year under a program for Afghans who assisted U.S. authorities.

Officials have not issued formal instructions regarding the new measures, and refugees are advised to report any risks they may face if returned to their home countries. Those granted asylum retain rights to remain in the U.S., after which green card and citizenship processes can continue.