The Trump administration has halted all asylum decisions following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington DC, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) director has said.
Joseph Edlow stated the pause would be in effect until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible. This decision came hours after President Donald Trump announced intentions to permanently pause migration from all third world countries.
This flurry of immigration decisions follows Wednesday's shooting, resulting in the death of one soldier and leaving another in critical condition, with authorities accusing an Afghan national of committing the act.
This directive specifically targets Afghans seeking to enter the US, but its consequences extend far beyond. The USCIS, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, has received orders to refrain from approving, denying, or closing any asylum applications, regardless of nationality. Officers can still review applications but cannot reach a decision, according to reports.
Details regarding this directive remain vague, and Trump has not specified which countries might be affected by the migration pause, which legal experts predict could face challenges and has already drawn criticism from UN agencies.
Trump's recent proclamations further intensify his administration's stance towards migrants during his new term, as he looks to implement mass deportations, cut refugee admissions, and remove automatic citizenship rights for certain individuals born within US borders.
Following the deadly incident, the administration also placed a temporary halt on visas for Afghans, particularly those related to the suspect, and signaled a wider review of green cards for individuals from 19 specified nations.
Trump has voiced that refugees contribute to social dysfunction in the US, specifically citing issues faced in states like Minnesota due to an influx of refugees from Somalia.
In the wake of the attack, the suspect named Rahmanullah Lakanwal entered the US in 2021, under a program providing protections to Afghans who assisted US forces. His background raises questions about the vetting process, as he was previously part of a paramilitary unit cooperating with the CIA.
While the administration's responses are designed to address security concerns, critics argue they unfairly target vulnerable populations and could escalate xenophobic sentiments within the country. The incident and subsequent policy shifts reflect ongoing tensions in the discourse surrounding immigration and national security.
