The State Department confirmed the freeze, placing more than 100,000 pending Afghan immigration cases many tied to the 2021 US withdrawal under fresh and intense security review. (Image Source: X.com/@MAGAVoice)
In an unprecedented escalation of its crackdown on immigration, the Donald Trump administration has ordered an immediate halt to all pending asylum decisions.
It came amidst a deadly shooting incident that occurred outside the White House last week by an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who allegedly shot two National Guard soldiers serving at the White House one, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, was killed in that action, while another, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, was left in critical condition.
Lakanwal, who entered the US in 2021 and was granted asylum earlier this year under the Trump administration, has become the catalyst for a rapid-fire series of severe policy reversals.
The pause was confirmed by Joseph Edlow, Director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), who said officers have been instructed to stop issuing asylum rulings until every applicant can be "vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible," citing the safety of the American people as the highest priority.
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Beyond the asylum freeze, a broad review of immigration statuses was announced by the administration. The government revealed a review of all asylum approvals granted during the previous administration.
Additionally, USCIS is now reviewing green card applications from nationals of 19 countries that were previously flagged in a presidential proclamation in June for security concerns.
In a late-night posting on social media, President Trump announced his intent to permanently pause migration from all "Third World Countries."
He also promised to strip of citizenship anyone who he deems undermines domestic tranquility and pledged to deport any foreign nationals deemed security risks or "non-compatible with Western Civilization" in a radical policy change for the future.
The crackdown continues to be international in scope, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an immediate pause on visa issuance for all individuals traveling on Afghan passports.
The State Department confirmed the freeze, placing more than 100,000 pending Afghan immigration cases many tied to the 2021 US withdrawal under fresh and intense security review.
These dramatic policy shifts are seemingly a reflection of the administration's commitment to greater security, directly linking the tragic attack in Washington, DC, to drastically tightened vetting and border security measures.
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