In a significant security move, the U.S. has halted visa services for all applicants traveling with Afghan passports. This abrupt suspension comes just days after a tragic incident where a National Guard member was killed and another injured near the White House by an Afghan national. The State Department issued a swift statement on X, declaring, “The Department of State has IMMEDIATELY paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced the government’s stance, asserting that national security and the safety of American citizens are paramount concerns.
Further strengthening border security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has suspended all asylum adjudications. USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow articulated the reasoning on X: “USCIS has halted all asylum decisions until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible. The safety of the American people always comes first.” These actions follow an earlier pause on Afghan immigration applications implemented by the State Department for a thorough security review. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome and later received asylum, is accused of traveling from Washington state to commit the attack. The incident has drawn strong reactions, with former President Trump labeling it an “act of terror” and calling for stricter immigration policies and deportations of individuals deemed security risks.