The United States has indefinitely halted the processing of all immigration applications from Afghan nationals after two National Guard personnel were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C. The Trump administration announced the suspension hours after an Afghan migrant was arrested for the daylight attack, which occurred just two blocks from the presidential residence.
In a post on X, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said, “Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.” The agency added that the safety of Americans remains its “singular focus and mission.”
President Donald Trump, speaking after the attack, vowed to intensify deportation efforts and signalled that Afghan migrants who arrived following the Taliban takeover in 2021 would face heightened scrutiny. “We must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan,” he said, adding, “We must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here, or add benefit to our country. If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them.”
The shooting, which unfolded on the eve of Thanksgiving, has reignited controversy surrounding the deployment of National Guard troops in major US cities. Their presence has been a contentious political issue for months, sparking legal challenges and a broader policy debate about the administration’s use of military personnel to combat what it describes as a growing violent crime problem.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan migrant who arrived in the US during the chaotic 2021 evacuation from Kabul. He was resettled in Bellingham, Washington, under Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden-era programme that brought tens of thousands of Afghans to the United States after the withdrawal of American forces. According to the Associated Press, Lakanwal was also shot during the incident and sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Operation Allies Welcome admitted roughly 76,000 Afghans—many of them interpreters, translators, and others who worked closely with US forces and diplomats. Although the programme was initially praised for providing refuge to those facing potential Taliban reprisals, it has since come under intense scrutiny from Trump and his allies, congressional Republicans, and several government watchdogs, who have raised concerns about gaps in the vetting process and the speed of admissions. Advocates, however, argue that the initiative saved lives at a moment of acute danger for thousands of Afghans.
The halt to immigration processing marks a significant shift in US policy toward Afghan nationals and is likely to trigger strong reactions from refugee groups, veterans’ organisations, and lawmakers closely involved in resettlement efforts. The administration has not indicated how long the suspension will remain in place or what specific changes to vetting procedures might follow.
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