President Trump Announces Permanent Migration Pause Following National Guard Shooting

President Donald Trump has announced a "permanent pause" on migration from unspecified "Third World Countries" following a shooting near the White House that resulted in the death of a National Guard member and critically injured another. The suspect, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the U.S. in 2021 under the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum in April 2025.

The incident occurred on November 26, 2025, near the Farragut West metro station in Washington, D.C., where Lakanwal allegedly ambushed the guardsmen with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her injuries, while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition.

In response, President Trump has ordered a comprehensive review of all asylum and immigration cases approved under President Joe Biden's administration. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has indefinitely suspended all immigration requests for Afghan nationals. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow described the process as a "full-scale, rigorous reexamination" at Trump's direction.

The administration is also reviewing all green card holders from 19 countries deemed "countries of concern," including Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Sierra Leone. This directive stems from Trump's June 4 proclamation aimed at restricting entry of foreign nationals from certain nations to protect against terrorism and security threats.

Lakanwal previously worked with a CIA-backed Afghan unit known as the "Zero Unit," which conducted operations against Taliban targets. A friend of the suspect indicated that Lakanwal "suffered from mental health issues and was disturbed by the casualties his unit had caused."

The shooting has intensified debates over U.S. immigration policies, particularly concerning the vetting processes for individuals entering under humanitarian programs. Critics argue that the incident underscores the need for stricter immigration controls, while advocates caution against broad policy changes based on isolated events.