USCIS Initiates Review of Approved Green Cards: Is Your Residency at Risk?

The United States government has launched an extensive review of previously approved permanent residencies and halted the processing of thousands of immigration applications. Among those affected are Cuban nationals.

In what marks one of the broadest immigration review measures in recent years, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has mandated the immediate suspension of all asylum, residency, and naturalization processes for citizens from 19 countries deemed "high-risk," including Cuba and Venezuela.

The directive, outlined in memorandum PM-602-0192 issued on December 2, not only halts pending applications but also reopens already approved benefits, including green card cases granted since January 2021.

"This memorandum mandates a comprehensive re-evaluation of previously approved benefit applications for foreign nationals from countries listed in Presidential Proclamation 10949 who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021," the document states.

Scope of the Review: Who is Affected?

The extent of this measure is unprecedented. USCIS will scrutinize the following cases:

• Pending applications for asylum (Form I-589), permanent residency (I-485), residency renewal (I-90), removal of conditions (I-751), travel permits (I-131), and others.
• Approved applications, including green cards granted to individuals who entered since January 20, 2021.
• Applications submitted by nationals of countries mentioned in Presidential Proclamation 10949, which includes Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, Sudan, Haiti, Eritrea, Somalia, among others.

"A case-by-case individualized assessment based on all relevant information and facts will be conducted," the memorandum clarifies.

How Will I Know If My Case Is Under Review?

According to USCIS guidelines, not all foreign nationals will be notified simultaneously, but the process has already begun.

Within 90 days of the memorandum's issuance, the agency will compile a prioritized list of cases that may be:

• Summoned for mandatory interviews or re-interviews.
• Reviewed and potentially referred to ICE or other security agencies.
• Assessed under security criteria such as: presence in the Terrorist Screening Dataset (TSDS), links to organizations, individuals, or activities considered dangerous under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), and involvement in serious criminal activities or lack of identity verification.

"Nothing is off the table until each foreign national is evaluated and examined to the fullest extent possible," the agency asserted.

Impact on Cubans: Naturalizations Halted and Visas Frozen

The order directly impacts Cuban citizens with permanent residency, citizenship applicants, and those with active asylum processes.

Immigration attorneys have reported that interviews and naturalization ceremonies have been canceled without prior explanation, according to The New York Times.

Moreover, since June, the Trump administration had already suspended the issuance of several types of visas for Cubans, including tourist (B-2), business (B-1), student (F, M), and exchange (J) visas, under a policy now known as a new "travel ban."

"Citizenship is a privilege, not a right," said USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser.

Steps to Take if You Are a Resident or Have a Pending Application

Experts recommend the following actions:

• Consult with a specialized immigration attorney, particularly if your case falls within the date range (entry into the U.S. since January 20, 2021) or if you are from one of the 19 countries under review.
• Do not ignore USCIS notifications, as many re-interviews will be mandatory.
• Prepare additional documentation that supports your eligibility and lack of suspicious ties.
• Stay informed about regulatory changes, as the memorandum allows for new executive orders or internal instructions that could expand the measure.

Is This a Pause or a Revocation?

Currently, it's a suspension of the adjudication process and a general review, but it does not automatically revoke permanent residencies or already granted benefits.

However, USCIS reserves the right to rescind any benefit if grounds for inadmissibility or security threats are identified.

"This direction may delay the resolution of some pending applications, but it has been weighed against the urgent need to thoroughly examine applicants," the memorandum states.

Reasons Behind the Timing: Recent Attacks and Political Pressure

The decision follows a series of violent incidents involving asylum seekers.

Among them was the foiled attack by Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan citizen who planned a terrorist attack during the 2024 elections, and the Washington D.C. attack allegedly committed by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, which resulted in one death and one serious injury among National Guard members.

Both had been admitted to the U.S. under humanitarian protection programs, sparking criticism of the immigration adjudication system and prompting the White House to sign Executive Order 14161, with a clear objective: to protect the country from potential threats hidden in previously approved immigration processes.

"USCIS plays a crucial role in preventing terrorists from finding refuge in the United States," the document emphasizes.

In conclusion, the reopening of approved cases and the suspension of immigration applications represent a paradigm shift in U.S. immigration policy, especially under the Trump administration.

Cubans, Venezuelans, and other Latin Americans included in the list will face a new cycle of uncertainty, mandatory interviews, and the risk of benefit cancellations.

For those who already possess a green card or await a decision, the warning is clear: "USCIS will reopen your case if you entered since 2021 and come from a country considered high-risk."

The scrutiny will be intense, and the impact, by estimates, could affect more than 1.5 million people.