US Suspends Asylum Decisions Following National Guard Shooting Incident

Thu Dec 04 2025 20:20:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In light of the tragic shooting incident involving National Guard soldiers in Washington D.C., the Trump administration has indefinitely halted all asylum claims, with officials citing the need for rigorous vetting of migrants.

The US government has paused all decisions on asylum claims following a deadly shooting incident involving two National Guard members, leading to heightened scrutiny of immigration processes. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow announced the decision as President Trump vows to further restrict migration from 'third world countries' amid rising tensions. The shooting, attributed to an Afghan national, has sparked a review of immigration protocols, particularly affecting Afghans, as officials aim to enhance scrutiny of asylum seekers and migrant integration into the US system.

The Trump administration has halted all asylum decisions following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington D.C., as stated by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) director.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow emphasized that the pause will be maintained until every applicant can be vetted to the 'maximum degree possible'. This decision comes just hours after President Donald Trump declared a 'permanent pause' on migration from all 'third world countries' in response to the incident.

The shooting on Wednesday resulted in one soldier's death and left another critically injured, with an Afghan national reportedly being the perpetrator.

Notably, this halt extends beyond just Afghan asylum seekers; it affects all nationalities seeking asylum in the US. The USCIS has been instructed not to approve, deny, or close asylum applications, as indicated by reports from CBS News.

While officials can continue to work on applications until a decision is reached, further details about the directive are sparse.

Trump's migration pause, which is expected to face legal scrutiny, has already drawn criticism from UN agencies and immigrant advocacy groups.

Previously, the administration had specifically targeted Afghans seeking entry into the US. Following the shooting, immigration requests from Afghans are now also under review.

The directive has broader implications, as the USCIS also plans to re-examine green cards granted to individuals from 19 countries, without directly linking this to Wednesday’s attack. Countries referenced in this review include Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela.

Trump has stated intentions to terminate federal benefits for non-citizens and has laid blame on refugees for creating societal discord in the US.

He remarked, 'I will permanently pause migration from all third world countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover.' His comments echo previous sentiments during his first presidency, where he sought to impose stricter immigration controls, including a travel ban on nationals from specific Muslim-majority countries.

RAhmanullah Lakanwal, identified as the shooting suspect, arrived in the US in 2021 under a program designed for Afghans who assisted US forces during the Afghanistan conflict. Reports suggest he had been part of a respected Afghan intelligence unit and had undergone the necessary security vetting processes.

Despite his asylum grant, his request for permanent residency is still pending, highlighting the ongoing complexities surrounding immigrant integration in the US.