The Trump administration has halted all asylum decisions following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington D.C., according to USCIS director Joseph Edlow. He stated that the pause will remain in effect until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible. This announcement coincided with President Donald Trump's commitment to permanently pause migration from various nations he classified as third world countries.

The abrupt decision comes after a shooting incident that left one soldier dead and another critically injured, with officials attributing the attack to an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal. Lakanwal had entered the US in 2021 under a program aimed at protecting Afghans who had cooperated with US forces.

The USCIS was instructed to cease approving, denying, or closing asylum applications for individuals of all nationalities. However, officers are allowed to continue working on applications up until a decision must be made. The specifics of this directive are yet to be clarified, leading to concerns over its broader implications and potential challenges from legal advocates.

Trump's recent pledge to halt migration from specific nations echoes previous administrations' immigration policies, including mass deportations and tightened refugee admission numbers. Critics accuse the Trump administration of scapegoating migrants in the aftermath of the shooting, while the UN and advocacy groups have urged the US to adhere to international asylum agreements.

Following the shooting, a temporary suspension of visa issuance to Afghans linked to the suspect’s program was implemented, further complicating the landscape for potential asylum seekers and migrants from conflict zones. The recent developments signify a marked escalation in Trump's immigration policy during his second term, re-asserting a tough stance towards migrants and asylum seekers.