The Trump administration has ordered a sweeping review of all green cards issued to people from 19 countries it classifies as “of concern”, escalating its immigration clampdown following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. Joseph Edlow, director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, said he acted on President Donald Trump’s direction and had instructed a “full scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern”. His announcement came hours after the attack, which the president has already cited as justification for tightening entry rules.Officials confirmed that the list of 19 countries matches those named in a June presidential proclamation, which imposed full or partial suspensions on the entry of nationals from:

When pressed for details, USCIS pointed to that proclamation, which cited high visa overstay rates, lack of cooperation on removals, weak vetting systems and security concerns, including terrorism threats.The move follows the brazen attack on Wednesday in which two West Virginia National Guard members — Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt Andrew Wolfe, 24 — were critically injured. Both had been deployed to the capital as part of Trump’s crime-fighting mission, which placed nearly 2,200 Guard troops under federal control. West Virginia’s governor, Patrick Morrisey, initially announced that the pair had died before later amending his statement, saying his office had received “conflicting reports”.Authorities identified the suspect as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who drove across the country to launch what prosecutors described as an “ambush-style” attack using a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. Video reviewed by investigators showed him turning a corner and opening fire immediately. Troops returned fire, subdued him and handed him over to police. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, and investigators have yet to identify a motive.Lakanwal arrived in the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden-era programme established after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. He applied for asylum during the Biden administration but, according to #AfghanEvac, his case was approved under Trump. Officials say he had passed all background checks, including those conducted before his work with the U.S. government in Afghanistan, where he had links to CIA-backed Zero Units. Those units were known for frontline operations and heavy involvement in the final days of the U.S. withdrawal.Lakanwal faces charges including assault with intent to kill while armed. U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro said charges could be upgraded: “We are praying that they survive and that the highest charge will not have to be murder in the first degree.”Trump has ordered an additional 500 National Guard troops into Washington. A federal judge has already ordered the wider deployment to end but has paused her ruling for 21 days to allow the administration time to appeal or withdraw the forces.