A tragic shooting in Washington D.C. has triggered immediate and sweeping changes to US immigration policy. Following an attack that killed one National Guard member and critically injured another, the US State Department has announced an immediate pause on issuing visas for anyone traveling on an Afghan passport.
This urgent measure, confirmed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aligns with a separate announcement from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to halt decisions on *all* asylum applications for the foreseeable future. The government cites “public safety” and the “safety of the American people” as the paramount reasons for these actions.
The catalyst for this sudden crackdown was Wednesday’s shooting, where Afghan national Rahmanaullah Lakanwal is the main suspect. Lakanwal, who had previously worked for the CIA in Afghanistan, arrived in the US under the “Operation Allies Welcome” program after the 2021 troop withdrawal. National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe were ambushed near the White House, with Beckstrom tragically succumbing to her injuries. Lakanwal now faces first-degree murder charges.
President Trump has labeled the shooting a “terrorist attack,” using the incident to intensify his administration’s already aggressive stance on immigration. Beyond these immediate pauses, directives have been issued to re-examine green card applications from “countries of concern.” The President has also hinted at plans to suspend immigration from “all Third World countries” and to deport individuals deemed “not a net asset” or “non-compatible with Western civilization.”
These actions signify a dramatic escalation in the administration’s efforts to restrict immigration, heralding a new, tougher era for those seeking to enter or remain in the United States.
Source: https://turks.us/us-pauses-visas-for-all-afghan-passport-holders-halts-asylum-requests/
