WASHINGTON (AP) — In the wake of last week’s shooting of two National Guard members in the nation’s capital by an Afghan national, the Trump administration has introduced a series of stringent policies designed to limit the entry and stay of certain foreigners in the U.S.
The administration has paused all asylum decisions, reassessing green card applications for individuals from designated 'countries of concern,' and has stopped visa issuance for Afghans who assisted the U.S. military.
Prior to the shooting, a memo obtained by The Associated Press indicated an upcoming review of all refugees who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration. Advocates for refugees are condemning this move, stating it amounts to collective punishment and is an inefficient use of resources.
The Trump administration claims these new policies are critical for national security, emphasizing the need for comprehensive vetting of those entering or already residing in the country.
All asylum decisions suspended
Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, announced on social media that asylum decisions would be halted until maximum vetting could be ensured. However, details on the duration of this pause remain unclear.
To qualify for asylum, applicants must demonstrate a credible fear of persecution upon returning to their home countries. The Afghan national involved in the shooting had received asylum earlier this year, according to the advocacy group #AfghanEvac.
A focus on countries ‘of concern’
On November 27, Edlow announced a comprehensive reassessment of green card applications for individuals from countries deemed 'high-risk.' This includes Afghanistan and may complicate immigration processes for those from 19 targeted nations.
The administration has already implemented travel bans affecting citizens of 12 countries and additional restrictions on seven others.
No visas for Afghans
In addition to broader immigration restrictions, USCIS announced a suspension of all immigration requests from Afghan nationals, impacting those already in the U.S. seeking green cards or work permits. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the State Department had ceased issuing visas for Afghan passport holders.
A review of refugees admitted under the Biden administration
Even prior to the recent shooting, the Trump administration was preparing a sweeping review of refugees admitted during Biden's presidency. This effort affects nearly 200,000 migrants who fled persecution, with advocates emphasizing that refugees already undergo thorough vetting.
The landscape of U.S. immigration is continuing to shift under these stringent new policies, igniting significant debate about their implications for security and humanitarian assistance.
