Asylum decisions paused by USCIS following shooting incident involving an Afghan national and National Guard members

USCIS Suspends Asylum Decisions Following National Guard Shooting

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Friday a suspension of all asylum decisions after an Afghan gunman reportedly shot and killed two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., with one of them succumbing to their injuries.

USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow stated that these asylum decisions will be held off “until we can ensure that all aliens are vetted and tested to the fullest extent possible.” He emphasized, in a message shared on X, that the safety of the American public is the top priority.

This suspension aligns with a broader immigration enforcement strategy highlighted by President Donald Trump, who recently expressed intentions to halt immigration from “Third World countries” and to overturn policies from the Biden administration.

Immediate Visa Suspension for Afghan Passport Holders

In the aftermath of the attack, the State Department has also halted all visa applications for Afghan passport holders. They stated that these steps are crucial for the national security of the United States.

Beckstrom, 20, was killed in the tragic incident, while fellow Guardsman Andrew Wolfe, aged 24, is now in critical condition. Reports indicate that the alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Rakanwal, 29, is facing severe charges, including first-degree murder. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Justice Department intends to seek the death penalty for him.

Edlow noted that authorities would review green cards issued to individuals from countries deemed concerning, which includes Afghanistan. He mentioned introducing new national security measures for screening immigrants coming from what he described as “high-risk” nations.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security indicated that all immigration applications from Afghanistan have been paused and that they are reassessing asylum applications approved during the Biden administration.

Rakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021 under humanitarian parole following the military withdrawal from Afghanistan. He had been vetted by the CIA before his entry, and a senior U.S. official assured that his background check returned without issues.

Interestingly, Rakanwal’s asylum application was approved earlier this year under the Trump administration, and a report from the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General mentioned there weren’t any systemic deficiencies in the vetting process for Afghan refugees and their entry routes.