Donald Trump blocks green cards for banned nations

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing a new policy that would bar green card approvals for nationals of 12 countries already covered under the 2025 U.S. travel ban — even if these individuals are currently living legally in the United States.

Key Aspects of the Proposed Policy

• The 12 countries under review include Afghanistan, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
• The draft proposal states that applicants from these nations may be denied permanent residency due to insufficient identity verification and inadequate security data-sharing from their home governments.
• Certain exemptions are under consideration, including:
  • Individuals who already hold green cards or valid U.S. visas.
  • Athletes expected to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics.
  • Eligible Afghan nationals under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program.

Government Rationale and Potential Legal Issues

The proposal continues the administration’s strategy of imposing strict immigration controls on countries it considers security risks. It builds upon existing presidential proclamations that have already restricted visa issuance for these nations.

Legal experts predict that the policy may face constitutional challenges, especially concerning due process and equal protection for immigrants already residing in the U.S. on lawful status.

Possible Impact on Immigrants

If implemented, the policy could significantly disrupt the path to permanent residency for thousands of individuals from the targeted countries. Many affected people have lived in the United States for years on work permits, student visas, or humanitarian programs. The change may leave them with no viable route to long-term residency.

Advocacy groups and immigration attorneys are expected to challenge the proposal if it moves forward.

Broader Immigration Context

The draft measure is part of a broader immigration tightening introduced by the Trump administration in 2025, including new travel bans, enhanced vetting, and public statements stressing that green cards are a privilege that can be denied or revoked.