The Trump administration has halted all asylum decisions following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington DC, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) director has stated.
Joseph Edlow announced that the pause would remain in effect until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible. This decision emerged just hours after President Donald Trump pledged to permanently pause migration from all third world countries.
This directive follows a tragic shooting incident that resulted in one soldier dead and another critically injured, with an Afghan national being accused as the shooter.
Initially aimed at Afghans seeking entry into the US, the pause on asylum applications has extended across the board, affecting individuals from all nationalities, according to reports. USCIS is currently barred from approving, denying, or closing any asylum applications while still being permitted to review cases up until decision-making.
A detailed explanation of the newly implemented directive remains scant, with Trump's statements generating awareness and concerns about its implications for migration policy.
While Trump has not specified which countries might be impacted by this migration pause, the lack of clarity has attracted legal challenges and concerns from UN agencies.
The administration's recent measures signal a continuation of stringent immigration policies, which include efforts to reduce the number of refugee admissions and revising the criteria for citizenship rights.
In light of the DC shooting, the administration has temporarily ceased visa issuance for Afghans, reviewing their immigration requests amidst heightened scrutiny. Furthermore, the USCIS is set to reassess green cards for individuals from certain countries, although the scope and implications of this re-evaluation have yet to be detailed.
In a statement during his announcement of immigration restrictions, Trump blamed refugees for social dysfunction in America, declaring a commitment to remove anyone who is not a net asset to the country, specifically mentioning effects seen in states like Minnesota.
The incident has brought to light the profile of the shooting suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who arrived in the US in 2021 under a program designed to offer protections to Afghans allied with US forces. Despite the stringent vetting processes in place for such individuals, questions around the implications of mental health factors remain a concern.
As the administration outlines its measures, calls for adherence to international obligations regarding asylum seekers have been echoed by the UN, while advocacy groups denounce the targeting of migrants in the wake of the attack.
