U.S. Halts Immigration Requests for Afghans Following Violent Incident

Sun Dec 07 2025 05:52:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has suspended the processing of immigration requests for Afghan nationals, citing security concerns in the wake of a National Guard shooting allegedly involving an Afghan national.

In response to a recent shooting involving an Afghan national, the U.S. has paused all immigration requests for Afghans to review security protocols. The decision follows the injury of two National Guard members and highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Afghan immigration since the 2021 withdrawal. Thousands of Afghans had relocated to the U.S. under special protections after the Taliban regained control.

The U.S. has suspended the processing of all immigration requests for Afghan nationals pending a review of security and vetting protocols, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced.

In a post on X, the agency said: The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission.

The decision comes after two National Guard soldiers were critically injured in a shooting near the White House. The alleged gunman was an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021.

U.S. President Donald Trump described the attack as an act of terror, asserting his intent to expel foreigners deemed unwanted. This incident has sparked renewed discussions around immigration policies, particularly regarding Afghans who entered the U.S. following the chaotic withdrawal in 2021.

Tens of thousands of Afghans were granted special immigration protections under the Operation Allies Welcome program after the U.S. withdrawal. However, following the shooting, Trump emphasized the need for a thorough review of those admitted during this time.

Reports identify the alleged gunman as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan who arrived in the U.S. under the special visa program.

This suspension builds upon existing travel bans and highlights a growing concern over immigration-sensitive security issues, leaving many Afghan nationals in uncertainty regarding their status in the U.S.