The US has suspended the processing of all immigration requests for Afghan nationals pending a review of security and vetting protocols, the US 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.
This 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 US in September 2021.
Former President Trump described the attack as an act of terror, asserting that he would initiate measures to remove foreigners from any country who does not belong here.
Tens of thousands of Afghans entered the US under special immigration protections following the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Multiple law enforcement sources identified the alleged gunman to CBS as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan who entered the country through Operation Allies Welcome.
After the shooting, Trump stated that the US must now reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden. This order adds to a travel ban Trump imposed earlier this year on Afghan nationals among others.
Afghans with Special Immigration Visas, available for those who directly assisted the US military before the Taliban's return to power, were the only exceptions noted in the immigration suspension.
