The United States has paused all visa issuance for anyone traveling on an Afghan passport after a deadly shooting near the White House. The move marks one of the most sweeping immigration decisions in recent years, taken within hours of the incident that triggered widespread security concerns in Washington.
Why the US Stopped Issuing Afghan Visas
The U.S. Department of State announced that it has “IMMEDIATELY paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports.” The department said the country is taking “all necessary steps to protect U.S. national security and public safety.”
The Department of State has IMMEDIATELY paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports.
The Department is taking all necessary steps to protect U.S. national security and public safety.
— Department of State (@StateDept) November 28, 2025
The decision came days after an Afghan national fatally shot a National Guard member and critically injured another while they were patrolling only blocks away from the White House.
Who Were the Victims in the DC Shooting?
The victims have been identified as Sarah Beckstrom (20) and Andrew Wolfe (24). They were on duty near the White House on November 26 when the gunman opened fire. Beckstrom died from her injuries, while Wolfe survived but remains in critical condition.
At the time of the attack, President Donald Trump was not present in the White House.
Who was the Afghan Shooter?
Investigators identified the shooter as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021. He arrived under a resettlement program created after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Authorities said Lakanwal travelled from his home in Washington across the country before attacking the two Guardsmen with a powerful revolver. He was later injured in a gunfight with responding troops.
US Suspends All Afghan Immigration Processing
Following the State Department’s decision, immigration authorities placed a full pause on asylum cases, green-card applications, and other immigration petitions filed by Afghan nationals.
President Trump’s State Department has paused visa issuance for ALL individuals traveling on Afghan passports.
The United States has no higher priority than protecting our nation and our people. https://t.co/HuR1Lj7F9t
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) November 28, 2025
Officials have also begun reviewing all pending Afghan immigration files. The government says it will reassess its vetting processes to prevent any future security lapses. With this freeze, thousands of Afghans waiting for interviews, humanitarian parole, or family reunification now face indefinite delays.
Trump’s Response: New Immigration Crackdown
In the wake of the incident, President Donald Trump announced a sharp shift in immigration policy, signalling tougher national-security measures ahead. He said he would “permanently pause” migration from “all Third World Countries,” end what he called “illegal admissions” approved under Joe Biden’s administration, and cut federal benefits for non-citizens.
Trump also said he would deport foreign nationals considered security risks and “denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility.” These steps, he said, are necessary to ensure the safety of the country and its people.
What Happens Next?
There is no timeline for when Afghan visa processing will resume. The U.S. government has said it will complete a security overhaul before taking any new applications. Until then, the freeze affects all Afghan passport holders—whether they seek work visas, family reunification, asylum, or refugee status.
The shooting has already sparked intense debate on immigration policy, national security, and the future of Afghan resettlement programs in the United States.
