The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced late on Wednesday that it has indefinitely suspended the processing of all immigration applications related to Afghan nationals. The decision came after two National Guard soldiers were shot and critically wounded near the White House.
Shooting Prompts Swift Government Action
President Donald Trump condemned the attack as “an act of terror,” saying the suspect arrived in the United States from Afghanistan in 2021. He added that his administration would take every measure to safeguard Americans and reassess immigration procedures linked to Afghan arrivals.
The suspension marks a significant shift in US immigration policy, reflecting heightened security concerns following the incident. The USCIS said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the safety of the nation remains its top priority.
“The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission,” the agency stated.
Review of Afghan Immigration Underway
The move follows Trump’s recent directive to re-examine all Afghan nationals who entered the US during Joe Biden’s presidency. Thousands of Afghans had been admitted after the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021, under emergency resettlement programmes for those who assisted US and allied forces.
The latest policy pause leaves many Afghan applicants and their families in uncertainty, as the government conducts a security review. It remains unclear when, or if, processing will resume.
Analysts say the decision underscores the administration’s tougher stance on immigration and security vetting, particularly concerning groups admitted under previous administrations.
(with inputs from Reuters)
