U.S. Implements Sweeping Immigration Curbs Following D.C. National Guard Shooting

The Trump administration has enacted a series of stringent new immigration policies, including an immediate pause on asylum decisions and a halt to visas for Afghan nationals, in the wake of a shooting incident in Washington D.C. The measures, announced on or around December 1, 2025, follow an attack last week involving an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who allegedly shot two National Guard members.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph B. Edlow announced the suspension of all asylum decisions, stating the need to ensure every alien is "vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible," according to a social media post on November 29, 2025. This directive applies to all pending asylum cases, creating significant uncertainty for thousands of applicants.

Concurrently, the State Department confirmed an immediate pause on visa issuances for individuals traveling on Afghan passports, a move that also affects the crucial Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. This decision has drawn particular concern as it impacts Afghans who assisted U.S. efforts and now face retribution in their home country, as reported by pbs on December 1, 2025.

The policy changes stem directly from the November 26, 2025, shooting near the White House, where Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national granted asylum in April 2025, allegedly killed one National Guard soldier, Sarah Beckstrom, and critically wounded another, Andrew Wolfe. CBS News reported on December 1, 2025, that Lakanwal had entered the U.S. through "Operation Allies Welcome" in 2021.

Beyond the immediate halts, the administration is also initiating a comprehensive review of green card applications for individuals from 19 "countries of concern," a list that includes Afghanistan. Furthermore, a memo obtained by The Associated Press on November 25, 2025, indicated a plan to reexamine all refugees admitted to the U.S. during the Biden administration.

These sweeping restrictions are explicitly aimed at tightening controls on who can enter or remain in the United States, with President Trump vowing to "permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries," as noted by The Washington Post on December 1, 2025. The administration asserts these measures are vital for national security.

However, refugee advocates have swiftly condemned the new policies, characterizing them as "collective punishment" and a "broad attack" on immigrants. Organizations like Church World Service stated on December 2, 2025, that such actions are deeply destabilizing and unfairly target entire communities based on the actions of one individual.

• The shooting incident on November 26, 2025, involved Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who had been granted asylum in the U.S. in April 2025. Lakanwal, 29, came to the U.S. in 2021 under "Operation Allies Welcome," a Biden-era program, and had a background working with the CIA in Afghanistan, according to CBS News on December 1, 2025.

• The immediate suspension of asylum decisions by USCIS means that while applications can still be filed and interviews conducted, no final approvals will be issued. This pause, confirmed by the Visa Lawyer Blog on December 1, 2025, extends timelines for decisions, work authorizations, and family reunifications, impacting thousands already navigating a complex system.

• The halt on visas for Afghan nationals, announced by the State Department on November 28, 2025, includes the critical Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. This program was designed for Afghans who provided crucial support to the U.S. mission and face severe threats from the Taliban, as highlighted by PBS on December 1, 2025.

• Refugee advocacy groups, including #AfghanEvac, have voiced strong opposition, arguing that these measures amount to collective punishment and undermine the trust of allies. NPR reported on December 1, 2025, that critics also point out the inefficiency and waste of government resources in reopening cases that have already undergone rigorous vetting.

• The Trump administration's broader immigration agenda, as detailed by Fragomen on December 2, 2025, includes a review of pending and approved green card applications from 19 "countries of concern" and a re-examination of all refugees admitted between January 2021 and February 2025. This signals a significant tightening of immigration enforcement.

• The impact on Afghan communities is profound, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty for those already in the U.S. and those seeking refuge. As reported by tpr on December 2, 2025, many Afghans in the immigration pipeline, including those with SIV applications, now face indefinite delays and potential deportation risks.

• Legal experts anticipate challenges to these new policies, as previous Trump administration immigration directives have often faced judicial scrutiny. The New York City Bar Association noted in an October 2025 update that the administration's actions frequently test the limits of executive power and are subject to legal challenges.

• The administration's stance emphasizes national security, with USCIS Director Edlow stating that "the safety of the American people always comes first," according to CBS News on November 29, 2025. This justification frames the new restrictions as necessary responses to perceived security threats, despite arguments from advocates about the extensive vetting processes already in place.