USCIS Suspends All Asylum Decisions Following Washington, D.C. Shooting of National Guard Members

WASHINGTON, D.C. — November 30, 2025 — The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Friday that it has halted all asylum decisions following a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan national allegedly shot two National Guard members, resulting in the death of one.

USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow stated that asylum decisions will be suspended “until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.” He emphasized that “the safety of the American people always comes first.”

The shooting occurred on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, when National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of West Virginia, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot near the White House. Beckstrom died from her injuries, while Wolfe remains in critical condition, according to authorities.

The alleged gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder and assault with intent to kill while armed. The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, announced it will seek the death penalty against Lakanwal.

In response to the attack, USCIS has initiated a comprehensive review of green cards issued to immigrants from countries deemed “of concern,” including Afghanistan. Edlow directed a “full scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern” and announced new national security measures for vetting immigrants from “high risk” countries.

The Department of Homeland Security has also halted all immigration requests from Afghanistan and is reviewing asylum cases approved during the Biden administration. Additionally, the Department of State has immediately paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports, citing the need to protect U.S. national security and public safety.

This pause in asylum decisions and visa restrictions follows broader immigration enforcement signals from President Donald Trump, who recently pledged to halt migration from “Third World countries” and reverse admissions policies from the previous administration.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Secret Service, responded to the shooting near the White House, underscoring the heightened security concerns.

The developments mark a significant shift in immigration policy and enforcement following the tragic shooting of National Guard members in the nation’s capital.