Trump administration halts Afghan immigration following DC shooting
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The Trump administration has frozen Afghan immigration after a DC shooting, which left two National Guard soldiers dead, was carried out by an Afghan refugee.
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Emergency personnel gather near where National Guard soldiers appear to have been shot near the White House Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The Trump administration has announced an immediate suspension of immigration processing for Afghan nationals following an incident in which an Afghan man shot two National Guard soldiers near the White House.
According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, all Afghan-related immigration requests are now paused indefinitely pending a review of current vetting procedures.
The shooter, a 29-year-old Afghan national, reportedly arrived in the United States in 2021 under the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome, a program designed to resettle Afghans who cooperated with the US military following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.
Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.
— USCIS (@USCIS) November 27, 2025
The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and…
"This is about national security," stated President Trump, adding that the US must now "re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan."
Impact on Afghan refugees already in the US
This decision comes amid an already strained environment for Afghan refugees in the United States, where nearly 200,000 Afghan nationals have resettled since the US military withdrawal in 2021. The surge was largely driven by the collapse of the former Afghan government and fears of persecution under Taliban rule for collaboration with the US occupation.
The majority of those evacuated arrived under humanitarian parole, a temporary status that does not automatically provide a path to permanent residency. Others were admitted under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for those who assisted US forces. However, a significant number of these individuals still face legal uncertainty due to the lack of a passed Afghan Adjustment Act.
As of late 2025, more than 260,000 Afghans remain in limbo, either still abroad waiting for visa processing or living in the US under temporary legal protections. The administration’s indefinite pause, coupled with plans for a retroactive review of previously admitted refugees, has intensified uncertainty among Afghan communities.
Critics argue that this move unfairly targets vulnerable populations and undermines the efforts of those who supported the US military campaign in Afghanistan. Legal experts and refugee advocates warn it could lead to deportations or revocations of status for individuals already living and working in the country.
