US Halts All Asylum Processing After National Guard Shooting
The United States has suspended all asylum decisions following a shooting near the White House that left one National Guard soldier dead and another critically injured. The Trump administration announced the immediate pause, calling it essential for national security.
Key Developments
- USCIS Director Joseph Edlow confirmed all asylum rulings are halted until “maximum vetting” is possible
- Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, granted asylum earlier this year, is the suspected shooter
- Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died in the attack; Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition
- Visa issuance for Afghan passport holders frozen, affecting over 100,000 pending cases
Expanding Immigration Crackdown
Following Wednesday’s attack, the administration has launched multiple immigration security measures. Officials are reviewing all asylum approvals issued under the Biden administration and reexamining green card applications from nationals of 19 countries previously flagged for security concerns.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the suspension of visa issuance for all Afghan passport holders, with the State Department confirming an immediate freeze on pending Afghan immigration cases dating back to the 2021 withdrawal.
Trump’s “Reverse Migration” Proposal
In a Truth Social post, President Trump vowed to permanently pause migration from what he called “Third World countries” and pursue “REVERSE MIGRATION.” He proposed revoking citizenship from those he believes “undermine domestic tranquility” and deporting foreign nationals deemed security risks or “non-compatible with Western Civilization.”
“Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation,” Trump wrote, blaming legally resident immigrants for problems ranging from crime to housing shortages.
According to the Associated Press, Trump now aims to revoke legal status for large numbers of foreign-born residents—affecting approximately 50 million people nationwide—expanding beyond his initial focus on illegal immigration.
