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US Citizenship Services Suspends Asylum Decisions Following National Guard Shooting
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced Friday it has suspended all asylum decisions in the aftermath of a shooting in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan national allegedly shot two National Guard members, killing one.
USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow stated the decision would remain in effect “until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible,” emphasizing that “the safety of the American people always comes first.”
The policy shift comes as part of a broader immigration overhaul initiated by President Donald Trump’s administration, which on Thursday pledged to halt migration from what the president termed “Third World countries” and reverse policies implemented during the Biden presidency.
The shooting that triggered these changes occurred Wednesday when 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia was fatally wounded. Her fellow service member, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition.
The alleged shooter, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced the Justice Department will pursue the death penalty in the case.
Lakanwal entered the United States legally in 2021 under humanitarian parole as part of the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome program following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. According to officials, he had previously worked with U.S. government entities in Afghanistan, including the CIA.
A senior U.S. official reported Lakanwal was “clean on all checks” during his background verification process. His asylum application was approved earlier this year under the Trump administration.
In response to the incident, the Department of Homeland Security stated it had already halted all immigration requests from Afghanistan and was reviewing asylum cases approved during the Biden administration. Simultaneously, the State Department announced an immediate pause on visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports.
“The Department is taking all necessary steps to protect U.S. national security and public safety,” the State Department said in a statement.
USCIS Director Edlow further announced plans to reexamine green cards issued to immigrants from every “country of concern,” including Afghanistan. The agency has also implemented new national security measures for vetting immigrants from “high risk” countries.
“I have directed a full scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern,” Edlow stated.
The shooting and resulting policy changes have reignited debate over the effectiveness of refugee vetting procedures. However, a Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General report released in June had found “no systemic failures” in Afghan refugee vetting or subsequent immigration pathways.
The incident marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, with potential long-term implications for asylum seekers and refugees from Afghanistan and other nations deemed high-risk by the administration. Immigration experts note that pausing all asylum decisions represents an unprecedented move that could affect thousands of pending applications across various nationalities.
The National Guard members were on duty in Washington, D.C., when the shooting occurred, raising additional concerns about security in the nation’s capital. Defense officials have not yet announced any changes to National Guard deployment protocols in response to the incident.
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9 Comments
While the safety of the American people is paramount, suspending asylum decisions entirely may be an overly broad response. I hope USCIS can find a way to balance security concerns with its obligations to provide fair and impartial consideration of asylum claims.
Absolutely, a nuanced approach that doesn’t compromise core principles of refugee protection would be the best outcome here. Thorough vetting is important, but denying asylum seekers due process is concerning.
The decision to suspend asylum decisions is understandable given the gravity of the situation, but I worry it may be an overly broad and reactive measure. I hope USCIS can find a way to enhance security screening without completely halting the asylum process, which is a fundamental human right.
I share your concerns. While security is paramount, the asylum system serves a vital purpose, and denying due process to vulnerable people is deeply troubling. USCIS will need to tread very carefully here.
This is a concerning development. Suspending asylum decisions in the wake of a tragic shooting seems like a drastic and potentially overreactive measure. I hope the authorities conduct a thorough investigation to ensure the safety of all concerned, while still upholding the principles of due process and compassion for those seeking refuge.
I agree, a measured response focused on security while maintaining humanitarian values would be ideal. The details of this case will be crucial in determining the appropriate path forward.
This is a complex issue without easy answers. On one hand, the shooting is a tragic event that warrants a robust response. On the other, suspending asylum decisions could have significant humanitarian consequences. I hope USCIS can find a way to address security concerns while upholding its legal and moral obligations.
Well said. Balancing security, due process, and humanitarian concerns is no easy task, but it’s crucial that USCIS gets this right. I’m curious to see how this situation unfolds in the coming days and weeks.
This is a challenging situation that requires a nuanced response. While the safety of Americans must be the top priority, suspending asylum decisions entirely seems like an extreme step that could have significant humanitarian consequences. I hope USCIS can find a way to address security concerns without compromising the fundamental rights of asylum seekers.