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USCIS Announces Indefinite Halt to Afghan Immigration Following White House Shooting

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Indefinite Pause Ordered After Internal Security Review The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued an internal memo on Nov 21 directing a halt to all Afghan‑related immigration processing pending a renewed security and vetting assessment [1]. The pause is described as “indefinite,” with no set date for resumption, and applies to both asylum and green‑card applications filed since 2021 [1][2]. Approximately 190,000 Afghans have already been resettled under Operation Allies Welcome, while another 260,000 remain abroad awaiting entry, creating a large pool of affected individuals [1].

White House Shooting Triggers Immediate Freeze of Afghan Cases On Nov 27, an Afghan national identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal opened fire near the White House, killing a National Guard member and injuring another [2]. Lakanwal arrived in the United States in 2021 under the same refugee program and received asylum earlier in 2025, prompting officials to link the incident to the abrupt suspension of Afghan immigration requests [2][1]. USCIS halted processing of all Afghan cases within hours of the attack, affecting an estimated 200,000‑233,000 refugees admitted between 2021 and early 2025 [2].

DHS Broadens Scrutiny to Nineteen Countries and Enforces New Biometric Rule The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expanded its review to green‑card and asylum applications from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, Haiti, and Venezuela [2]. A final rule taking effect on Dec 26, 2025, requires Customs and Border Protection to photograph nearly all non‑U.S. travelers at entry and exit, with possible collection of fingerprints, iris scans, and DNA in certain cases [2]. These measures aim to tighten security but raise concerns about civil‑liberties impacts and increased processing backlogs [2].

Afghan Communities Experience Service Delays and Explore Third‑Country Options Local organizations such as the Afghan Hope Community Development in Sacramento report clients postponing or canceling citizenship interviews and facing scarce guidance from USCIS offices [1]. Individual refugees, including a former Afghan National Army officer named Mohammad, are considering relocation to Brazil, Ireland, or Mexico due to the prolonged freeze [1]. Advocacy groups condemn the politicization of Afghan refugees while urging recognition of their contributions and warning against scapegoating [1].

Sources

Timeline

2021 – The United States launches Operation Allies Welcome, resettling roughly 190,000 Afghan allies, including Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who later receives asylum after a 2024 application [7][4].

June 2025 – The Department of Homeland Security issues a proclamation flagging 19 “countries of concern” (Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, Venezuela, etc.) for heightened immigration scrutiny [1].

Nov 26, 2025 – An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, opens fire near the White House, killing Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and wounding Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe; the attack triggers a first‑degree murder investigation [9][5][7].

Nov 27, 2025 – USCIS Director Joseph Edlow posts on X that asylum decisions are paused nationwide pending full vetting of all applicants [8]; President Donald Trump announces a “permanent pause on migration from all ‘Third World’ countries” [1][6]; the White House orders a full‑scale interagency probe into the shooting and broader migration controls [3].

Nov 28, 2025 – Trump delivers a televised address linking the shooting to a “major national security threat,” calling for the removal of “improper or unbeneficial” aliens and pledging a “reverse migration” [4][3]; USCIS begins a rigorous re‑examination of green‑card petitions from the 19 flagged nations [3][4]; the State Department halts Afghan visas, effectively closing the Special Immigrant Visa program [8].

Nov 29, 2025 – The Trump administration halts all asylum adjudications and freezes visa issuance for Afghan passport holders, citing the need for “maximum screening” [1][9]; the UN warns the pause may breach international asylum commitments [1]; USCIS announces a review of green cards issued to nationals from the 19 flagged countries [1].

Nov 30, 2025 – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tells NBC’s Meet the Press that Lakanwal was “likely radicalized after entering the U.S.” and blames the Biden administration’s vetting failures [7]; Noem also accuses the Biden team of “flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies” in a later X post [6].

Dec 1, 2025 – Noem formally recommends a full travel ban on the 19 high‑risk countries, echoing Trump’s “permanent pause” and urging immediate implementation [6]; DHS announces the upcoming biometric entry‑exit rule that will require photographing nearly all non‑U.S. travelers at borders [6].

Dec 2, 2025 – A final DHS rule takes effect Dec 26, 2025, expanding biometric collection (photos, fingerprints, iris scans, and limited DNA) for almost all entrants and exits [5]; the administration expands the green‑card re‑examination to affect 200,000‑233,000 Afghan refugees admitted since 2021 [5]; critics warn of “civil‑liberties and due‑process” concerns [5].

Dec 9, 2025 – USCIS issues an indefinite pause on all Afghan‑related immigration cases, citing the Nov 26 shooting and a pending security review; Afghan community groups report interview delays and families exploring third‑country resettlement options [2].

Dec 26, 2025 – The biometric entry‑exit rule officially goes into force, marking the most extensive traveler‑tracking system in U.S. history and potentially reshaping future immigration enforcement [5].

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