The Trump administration has halted all asylum decisions following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington DC, as per the statement from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) director.
Joseph Edlow indicated that the pause would remain in effect until a comprehensive vetting process for all applicants can be assured.
This announcement came shortly after President Donald Trump declared intentions to 'permanently pause migration' from all 'third world countries', raising concerns over the broad impact of the directive.
Officials reported that the shooting incident, which left one soldier dead and another in critical condition, involved an Afghan national, prompting immediate action on immigration policies, particularly for Afghan asylum seekers.
While immediate directives specifically targeting applicants from Afghanistan were initiated, the suspension of asylum applications extends to all nationalities, stopping decisions on newly submitted cases.
The USCIS is still permitted to process applications prior to decision-making, although the exact implications of this directive remain unclear.
This pause in immigration decisions adds to a series of strict measures taken by the Trump administration during his second term and reflects an increasing trend towards stringent immigration controls.
The suspect of the shooting, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had previously worked with US forces and entered the country under a program aimed at protecting Afghan allies. Details surrounding his background and the nature of his mental health challenges post-service were also highlighted in response to the shooting.
Critics argue this reaction from Trump represents a broader scapegoating of migrants and refugees, which calls into question the morality and legality of such sweeping immigration policies.
