In the wake of a deadly attack in Washington D.C., the US government has taken its most sweeping immigration step since the incident by suspending all visa processing for individuals traveling on Afghan passports. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the immediate pause was necessary to safeguard national security amid growing political pressure after one soldier was killed and another critically wounded.
State Department: “Public safety comes first”
The State Department announced that visa services for Afghan passport holders have been “immediately” suspended. In its statement, the agency emphasized that all measures were being taken to “protect US national and public safety.”
Secretary Marco Rubio echoed the message on X, writing, “There is no higher priority than protecting our nation and our people.”
Suspect identified as Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal
The freeze follows the identification of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, as the suspect in Wednesday’s shooting near the White House. Authorities say Lakanwal ambushed National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe during routine patrol duties.
Beckstrom later died from her injuries, while Wolfe remains in critical condition.
Asylum process halted nationwide
In a parallel move, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a nationwide pause on all asylum decisions.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated, “All asylum decisions are halted until we can ensure every individual is vetted to the maximum degree possible.”
Edlow added that he had ordered a comprehensive re-examination of all green card applications from “countries of concern,” following directives from President Trump.
Trump administration intensifies immigration crackdown
President Trump labeled the Washington attack a “terrorist act” and renewed his criticism of immigration programs that admitted Afghan nationals after 2021.
The suspect, Lakanwal, entered the US under the Biden-era “Operation Allies Welcome” program after the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Trump has since vowed to reassess all entrants from similar programs and indicated he may suspend immigration from what he termed “all Third World countries.”
A tightening system amid rising political tensions
Since returning to office in January, Trump’s administration has pursued aggressive limits on refugee admissions and tightened background checks. The suspension of Afghan visas marks the latest escalation, underscoring the administration’s broader shift toward stricter immigration controls following the Washington attack.
