The United States has announced an immediate halt on issuing visas to individuals traveling on Afghan passports, citing heightened national security concerns. The State Department said the move was necessary to “protect public safety” while the country reassesses its vetting systems.
In a parallel directive, all asylum rulings nationwide have also been suspended, marking one of the most sweeping immigration freezes in recent US history. The action follows the fatal shooting of a National Guard soldier and the critical injury of another in Washington, DC, near the White House.
The suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national resettled in 2021, had been granted asylum in April 2025. Authorities say he had already cleared multiple security screenings before approval.
Government Tightens Immigration Enforcement
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow confirmed that officers have been told to halt asylum decisions until “every applicant can be vetted to the maximum degree possible.” Agencies have also been ordered to re-screen past asylum approvals and green card applications approved under the Biden administration.
President Donald Trump framed the new measures as part of a broader crackdown on immigration, declaring a “permanent pause” on migration from what he described as “Third World Countries.” He also suggested the possibility of revoking citizenship for individuals considered threats to domestic security.
Separately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a complete pause on visa issuance for Afghan passport holders, freezing more than 100,000 pending immigration cases, many dating back to the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Details of the Shooting
Law enforcement identified the victims as:
- Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who died of gunshot wounds
- Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, who remains in critical condition
Investigators say Lakanwal previously worked with the CIA-supported Zero Unit in Afghanistan alongside US Special Forces. Officials confirmed he had passed security screening protocols prior to being granted asylum.
President Trump said the attack demonstrates “the greatest national security threat facing our country,” arguing that current immigration control measures remain inadequate.
Part of a Broader Immigration Strategy
The latest measures extend the administration’s ongoing efforts to tighten US immigration policy. Since the summer, National Guard units have been deployed not only to Washington but to several Democrat-led cities, including Chicago and Portland.
The current pause goes beyond earlier Trump-era policies. Even at the height of prior restrictions, the US did not freeze asylum rulings nationwide. Friday’s directives represent the broadest suspension of asylum processing in decades.
Who Will Be Affected
The new measures impact several groups:
| Category | Impact |
|---|---|
| Asylum seekers | All decisions temporarily suspended |
| Afghan passport holders | Visa processing frozen for over 100,000 applicants |
| Green card applicants from 19 flagged countries | Applications approved under Biden may be re-examined |
| Naturalised citizens | Officials have indicated possible denaturalisation for individuals deemed security risks |
US agencies have not provided a timeline for lifting the freeze. Advocacy organisations and multiple state governments are expected to file legal challenges, especially against any attempt to revoke citizenship.