Trump administration halts asylum decisions following shooting involving National Guardsmen

The Trump administration declared on Friday that it will temporarily stop all asylum decisions following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. earlier this week. Joseph Edlow, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, stated that the suspension will remain in effect "until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."

This move comes after President Donald Trump announced on Thursday a plan to "permanently pause migration" from certain countries, though he did not specify which nations would be affected, referring broadly to "Third World Countries."

Visa Issuance Suspended for Afghan Travelers

The U.S. State Department has also "immediately" halted visa issuance for travelers holding Afghan passports. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared a statement on X, emphasizing, "President Trumps State Department has paused visa issuance for ALL individuals traveling on Afghan passports. The United States has no higher priority than protecting our nation and our people."

Background on Trumps Travel Restrictions

Earlier in June, Trump had issued a proclamation restricting travel from 12 countries, primarily in Africa and the Middle East, and imposed additional travel limitations on several others. On Thursday, he outlined a series of further actions the U.S. would take regarding immigration, though details on implementation remain unclear.

Remarks on Immigration and Security

President Trump addressed the attacks on National Guard members, stating that the U.S. would "terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, remove anyone not a net asset to the United States, end federal benefits to noncitizens, denaturalize those undermining domestic tranquility, and deport foreign nationals who pose security risks or are incompatible with Western values."

Details on the Suspect

The suspect in Wednesday's shooting, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, came to the U.S. in 2021 during the Biden administration and was granted asylum in April 2025 under Trump, according to law enforcement sources. Lakanwal is currently linked to the Zero Unit in Afghanistan, working with the CIA and Joint Special Operations Command. Officials describe him as a trusted member involved in U.S. counterterrorism efforts.

Political and Public Reactions

Trump has vowed an immigration crackdown following the attack, calling it a major national security threat. Democrats and immigration advocates have previously criticized the administrations immigration policies, arguing that they overstate security risks and deny protection to vulnerable families.

In response to security concerns, Trump has also deployed National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and other Democrat-led cities including Chicago and Portland, Oregon.

Analysis: Temporary Suspension of Asylum Decisions

The Trump administration’s decision to halt all asylum decisions temporarily highlights the administration’s focus on national security following the attack on two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. While officials cite the need for maximum vetting, the immediate effect is a pause in processing applications, creating uncertainty for those seeking asylum.

The suspension, announced by Joseph Edlow of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, coincides with a broader pattern of travel and immigration restrictions initiated earlier this year. Notably, visa issuance for Afghan travelers has been stopped immediately, marking an extension of the administration’s previous travel limitations on several countries.

Politically, the move is framed as a direct response to perceived security threats. President Trump’s statements emphasize a connection between immigration policy and national safety, though the implementation details of this “permanent pause” on migration remain unclear. The policy has sparked criticism from Democrats and immigration advocates who argue that the measures may overstate risks and hinder protection for vulnerable populations.

Law enforcement confirms that the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had been granted asylum under the Trump administration and was involved in U.S. counterterrorism operations. This fact complicates the narrative, suggesting that the threat was linked to a vetted individual already participating in security operations, rather than a gap in immigration screening alone.

Overall, this development reflects the administration’s prioritization of immediate security concerns over the continuity of asylum and visa processing. The long-term effects on U.S. immigration procedures and international perceptions of asylum policy remain to be seen.

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• Trump admin announces pause on asylum decisions after National Guardsmen shooting