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 that the pause would be in effect until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible. This announcement came mere hours after President Donald Trump declared a permanent pause on migration from all third world countries.
The shooting incident—identified to involve an Afghan national—resulted in one soldier's death and left another in critical condition.
The USCIS, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, has been directed not to approve, deny or close any asylum applications it receives, affecting individuals from all nationalities, according to reports from CBS News. While officers can continue processing applications, they are barred from making final decisions.
Trump did not specify which countries would be affected by the migration pause, a move that could undergo legal challenges and has faced resistance from UN agencies.
Recently, the Trump administration has stepped up its tough stance on immigration during his second term, aiming to enact mass deportations of illegal migrants, and seeking to limit refugee admissions.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the administration suspended issuing visas to Afghans under the program that the shooter utilized and has announced a review of green cards for individuals from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Cuba, and Venezuela.
Trump criticized refugees for contributing to the social dysfunction in America, vowing to remove anyone who is not a net asset to the country.
The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, arrived in the US in 2021 after working with US forces in Afghanistan. Reports indicate he had undergone multiple vetting processes, but his mental health was a lingering concern following his service.
