US suspends all Afghan visa and asylum applications after suspected Afghan gunman wounds two guards — vetting protocols under urgent review
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says it has indefinitely suspended processing of all immigration requests from Afghan nationals, following a shooting near the White House that critically wounded two National Guard soldiers. The move, according to USCIS, comes as part of a comprehensive review of security and vetting protocols, as confirmed by multiple officials and media reports.
Key Points
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) halts all Afghan immigration requests indefinitely.
- Shooting near the White House injures two National Guard soldiers; gunman identified as Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
- Gunman entered US under Operation Allies Welcome program in 2021.
- President Donald Trump calls the shooting an “act of terror” and orders review of Afghan entrants.
- Temporary Protected Status programs for Afghan nationals previously ended earlier this year.
- Immigration freeze includes visas, asylum, refugee applications, pending review of security and vetting protocols.
- Advocacy groups warn about impact on Afghan families despite vetting concerns.
Washington, DC (Star Struck Times) — The United States has abruptly stopped processing visa, asylum and immigration applications from Afghan nationals, effective immediately, after a daylight shooting near the White House left two National Guard members critically injured. The announcement — made on social platform X by USCIS — underscores a sweeping review of vetting and security procedures for immigrants from Afghanistan.
The shooting occurred Wednesday near a metro station two blocks from the presidential residence. According to law enforcement sources, the suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, opened fire on the two guards, striking both before being wounded and taken into custody.
Lakanwal is said to have entered the United States in 2021 under the evacuation and resettlement program Operation Allies Welcome, initiated after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. His arrival under that program has become the focal point of scrutiny as authorities investigate how he was admitted.
The USCIS post on X stated: “Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols. The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission.”
Within hours, Donald Trump harshly condemned the shooting as an “act of terror” and demanded a sweeping re‑examination of every Afghan national admitted under the previous administration. He vowed to remove “any alien … who does not belong here or add benefit to our country.”
“The protections and safety of our homeland … remains our singular focus,” the immigration agency reiterated, stressing the indefinite nature of the suspension.
News of the suspension triggered immediate reactions. Supporters of stricter immigration policies hailed the decision as necessary to protect national security, while refugee‑advocacy groups warned against collective punishment, reminding that many Afghans admitted under Operation Allies Welcome served as allies to U.S. forces. One advocate said the freeze will “leave thousands of families in limbo, even those who helped save American lives.”
This freeze adds to earlier changes under the current administration: in mid‑2025, the U.S. ended programs offering temporary protections to Afghan nationals, including work permits and deportation protections, for many entrants.
The move also underscores a broader tightening of immigration policies, especially for Afghans evacuated after the 2021 withdrawal. The vetting review — still undefined in scope or duration — raises uncertainty for thousands currently awaiting decisions.
For now, all Afghan asylum, visa, refugee, and immigration‑related applications remain on hold. It is not yet clear when or under what conditions processing might resume.
As the FBI and federal terrorism task forces investigate Lakanwal’s motive, Congress and civil‑rights organizations are expected to debate whether sweeping immigration freezes comply with U.S. asylum and refugee laws.
FAQ
Q: Who ordered the suspension of Afghan immigration processing?
A: The suspension was ordered by USCIS, in response to the shooting near the White House involving an Afghan national.
Q: Is the suspension temporary or indefinite?
A: As of now, the suspension is indefinite, pending a comprehensive review of security and vetting protocols.
Q: Does this affect Afghans already residing in the U.S.?
A: The freeze applies to new immigration requests involving Afghan nationals. It does not automatically revoke status of those already entered, but the administration has called for re‑examination of entrants admitted under previous policies.
Q: Why did the U.S. take this action now?
A: The action followed a shooting incident in Washington, DC, where two National Guard soldiers were critically wounded by a gunman identified as an Afghan national, prompting security concerns and a review of vetting procedures.
Q: Could this affect future Afghan refugee admissions?
A: Yes — with all Afghan immigration processing halted, future refugee admissions, asylum applications, and visa filings for Afghan nationals are on hold until the vetting review concludes.
Stay updated for breaking developments on this ongoing story. Bookmark Star Struck Times for the latest on immigration policy shifts, security updates, and global reactions.
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