Trump Administration Halts Asylum Decisions Amid National Guard Shooting

The Trump administration announced a halt to all asylum decisions following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., on November 26, 2025. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow, the pause is intended to ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.

This decision follows President Trump's earlier statements promising a crackdown on immigration from countries he referred to as 'Third World Countries.' Trump emphasized that the safety of the American people is the administration's top priority.

The shooting incident involved 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who had previously worked with the CIA during the Afghanistan conflict. Lakanwal was granted asylum in April 2025 under the Trump administration after entering the U.S. in 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome.

Tragically, one of the National Guard members, 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, died from her injuries, while 24-year-old Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition. Trump condemned the attack as a terrorist act and has blamed the Biden administration for allowing individuals like Lakanwal to enter the United States.

In response to the shooting, the State Department has also paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports. The administration's actions have drawn criticism from advocates for Afghan migrants, who argue that the halt in processing asylum claims undermines the legal protections that refugees deserve.

Advocacy groups, including #AfghanEvac, have expressed concerns that this move violates federal law and represents a betrayal of U.S. commitments to Afghan allies who assisted American forces. The decision to pause asylum claims adds to ongoing tensions around immigration policy and national security, as Trump aims to tighten immigration controls amid his administration's narrative of national safety threats.

The backdrop of this pause reflects a broader pattern of anti-immigrant rhetoric, as Trump has previously targeted immigrants from various nations, framing them as burdens on the welfare system and threats to public safety.

This pause on asylum claims is part of a larger strategy that may include stricter immigration policies, potentially leading to widespread denials of asylum requests. Trump's administration has already indicated a review of immigration cases approved under the Biden administration, which could further complicate the asylum process for many individuals seeking refuge in the U.S.

As the administration moves forward, the implications of these policies on asylum seekers and the legal framework surrounding immigration will likely continue to evolve, reflecting the contentious intersection of national security and immigration policy in the United States.