U.S. Halts Asylum Decisions Following National Guard Shooting

The Trump administration has suspended all asylum decisions in response to a recent shooting near the White House that resulted in the death of a National Guard member and left another critically injured. Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), announced the pause, stating it will remain until the agency can "ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."

The incident occurred on November 27, 2025, when Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot near the White House. Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries, while Wolfe remains in critical condition. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, has been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.

Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021 under the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome program and was granted asylum in April 2025. In response to the attack, President Donald Trump labeled it a "terrorist attack" and announced a halt to all asylum decisions, as well as the suspension of visa processing for Afghan passport holders.

The administration has also initiated a review of asylum approvals from the previous administration and proposed expanding travel bans on 19 nations. Critics argue that the administration is politicizing an isolated incident to unfairly target immigrants, while officials maintain that the measures are necessary for national security.

The United Nations has urged the U.S. to maintain access and due process for asylum seekers, emphasizing that individuals are entitled to protection under international law.