WASHINGTON — Following a Thanksgiving Day shooting in Washington, D.C., that left one National Guard member dead and another critically injured, the Trump administration announced Friday it is halting all asylum decisions, citing public safety concerns.
Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), said the agency is pausing decisions “until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.” On social media, Edlow added, “The safety of the American people always comes first.”
The decision follows remarks from President Donald Trump, who called for a “sharp crackdown” on immigration from what he described as “third world” countries. On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover. Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation.”
Shooter and immigration context
Authorities identified the shooter as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national admitted to the United States in 2021 after working with the CIA to fight the Taliban. Lakanwal was involved in an ambush-style attack in the nation’s capital.
While Trump described the incident as a “terrorist attack” and called Lakanwal a “savage monster,” Afghan community leaders urged caution against stereotyping an entire population.
“Even as we pursue accountability, one individual’s alleged actions cannot be allowed to define, burden, or endanger entire communities who had no part in this tragedy,” said Ashraf Haidari, founder and president of Displaced International, which provides support to displaced people worldwide.
“Demonizing an entire community for the actions of a few is not only inaccurate, it is dangerous.”
Suspension of immigration decisions
The pause affects asylum applications and other immigration requests from countries previously flagged under a June White House proclamation, including Afghanistan and several African nations such as Chad, Sudan, and Somalia. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed it has halted immigration requests from Afghanistan and is reviewing all asylum cases approved under former President Biden. DHS did not respond to further requests on when decisions will resume.
Legal experts warn that sweeping halts to asylum processes can create significant backlogs, prolong uncertainty for vulnerable populations, and may face legal challenges. Most asylum seekers undergo extensive vetting before admission.
Community reactions
Trump has repeatedly linked immigration from Somalia and other countries to crime and social welfare strain, drawing criticism from civil rights groups. “Immigrants are entitled to protection under international law, and that should be given due process,” said Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the U.N. Human Rights Office in Geneva.
Minnesota’s Somali community, home to the largest Somali population in the U.S., has also been a focus of Trump’s statements. While he insisted the D.C. attack was unrelated to Somalis, he added, “Somalian gangs have caused a lot of trouble,” citing alleged criminal activity in the state.
Civil rights and immigrant advocacy groups emphasized the need to separate criminal accountability from ethnicity or national origin. “Fraud and crime are issues that law enforcement can handle,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR-Minnesota. “But demonizing an entire community for the actions of a few is not only inaccurate, it is dangerous.”
Matthew Soerens of World Relief, a faith-based refugee organization, echoed the sentiment: “Regardless of the alleged perpetrator’s nationality, religion or specific legal status … we urge our country to recognize these evil actions as those of one person, not to unfairly judge others who happen to share those same characteristics.”
Looking ahead
As USCIS and DHS review asylum applications, community leaders stress that public responses should focus on facts and fairness rather than broad policy measures driven by fear. Lakanwal’s vetting and service illustrate the complexity of the U.S. immigration system, underscoring the need for rigorous screening rather than blanket restrictions.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com