Trump announces that freeze on asylum decisions in the US will be extended for 'a long time'

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his administration plans to continue halting asylum decisions "for an extended period" after an Afghan man allegedly shot two National Guard personnel near the White House, resulting in one fatality.

When asked about the duration of this pause, Trump stated he has "no set timeframe" in mind. The Department of Homeland Security noted that the policy targets individuals from 19 countries already under US travel restrictions.

"We are not admitting these people," Trump said. "The reason is simple: many have proven to be problematic, and they should not enter our nation."

The temporary suspension of asylum applications was implemented following the November 26 shooting in Washington, which left 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom dead and another service member critically injured. Authorities arrested 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, charging him with first-degree murder.

Lakanwal had previously served in a CIA-supported "partner force" combatting the Taliban in Afghanistan and was resettled in the United States following the 2021 American military withdrawal. He received asylum in April 2025 during the Trump administration. Officials, however, criticized what they termed insufficient vetting under former President Joe Biden for allowing Lakanwal's entry during the Afghan evacuation.

After the shooting, Trump tweeted that he intended to "permanently halt migration from all Third World nations to allow the US immigration system to fully stabilize." The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the affected countries include Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, and Myanmar, among others, all of which have faced travel limitations to the US since June.

Author: Sophia Brooks