The United States has suspended all immigration processing for Afghan nationals following a shooting near the White House that left two National Guard personnel critically injured.
Washington DC: The United States has imposed an immediate and indefinite suspension on all immigration processing for Afghan nationals after two National Guard personnel were shot and dead near the White House in Washington, DC. Officials said the halt will remain in force until federal agencies complete a comprehensive review of existing security and vetting procedures. The suspension covers all avenues of entry, including visa applications, asylum claims and family reunification pathways.
The move came in the wake of a Thursday shooting in central Washington, where an Afghan national was arrested as the suspected gunman. The incident occurred in broad daylight near a busy metro station just two blocks from the White House, prompting renewed examination of security protocols and the federal deployment of military forces in the capital.
Also Read
Authorities described the temporary halt as a necessary step to ensure the “protection of the homeland,” and USCIS publicly acknowledged the decision in an online announcement. Officials noted that the review aims to strengthen screening mechanisms introduced after the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
US President Donald Trump addressed the nation shortly after the incident, identifying the suspect as an Afghan man who arrived in the country during the evacuation following the Taliban takeover. He linked the attack to broader concerns over immigration, national security and the long-term consequences of America’s 20-year involvement in Afghanistan. The shooting has also intensified political debate over Trump’s deployment of military forces in several Democrat-led cities, including Washington, Los Angeles and Memphis, a measure that has drawn legal and political challenges.
Federal officials confirmed that both injured National Guard personnel remain in critical condition. Investigators are conducting parallel inquiries into the shooting while federal agencies carry out the wider security assessment that will determine when Afghan immigration processing may resume. Authorities have emphasised that the suspension is precautionary and intended to ensure the integrity of all vetting procedures associated with Afghans who entered the United States after the fall of Kabul in 2021.
(With AFP inputs)
Published: 27 Nov 2025, 10:53 am IST
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.