US Freezes Asylum Decisions Following Deadly Shooting of Guardsmen

The United States has suspended all asylum decisions following a tragic shooting incident that resulted in the death of a National Guard member. President Donald Trump announced the freeze on asylum cases as part of a broader crackdown on immigration, intensified by the alleged actions of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who reportedly shot two National Guard troops in Washington D.C. on March 15, 2024. One soldier, Sarah Beckstrom, succumbed to her injuries, while the other, Andrew Wolfe, is currently in critical condition.

In light of this incident, Joseph Edlow, director of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), stated that the agency has “halted all asylum decisions until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.” This measure follows Trump’s announcement of plans to suspend migration from “third world countries” in an effort to bolster national security.

The attack has reignited discussions surrounding immigration policies, particularly those that affect individuals from countries already facing travel restrictions. The Department of Homeland Security has identified 19 nations, including Afghanistan, Cuba, and Haiti, whose citizens are subject to these restrictions. Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the US has temporarily ceased issuing visas to all Afghan passport holders.

As the investigation unfolds, Lakanwal faces murder charges for the attack. He was part of a CIA-backed force in Afghanistan and had entered the United States through a resettlement program following the withdrawal of American troops in 2021. Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, has vowed to pursue the death penalty against Lakanwal, labeling him a “monster.”

Political Fallout and Immigration Policy Changes

Trump’s administration is leveraging this incident to further its stringent immigration policies. The President has suggested reversing “millions” of immigration admissions granted under former President Joe Biden and has instructed USCIS to reexamine green cards issued to individuals from the aforementioned 19 countries. This group constitutes approximately 12 percent of the total permanent resident population in the US, with over 116,000 green card holders from Afghanistan alone.

Critics of the administration have voiced concerns that the current government is exploiting a single violent event to justify long-standing policy changes. Shawn VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac, a group involved in resettling Afghans after the US military withdrawal, criticized the decision to halt visa issuances, stating, “They are using a single violent individual as cover for a policy they have long planned.”

Security Concerns and Ongoing Debate

The shooting incident has underscored the contentious issues surrounding the military’s role on American soil, immigration, and the legacy of the two-decade conflict in Afghanistan. As discussions continue, the implications of this incident on US immigration policy remain uncertain. Many argue that the rigorous vetting process implemented for Afghan refugees has been overlooked in favor of a narrative that prioritizes national security at the expense of humanitarian considerations.

As the situation develops, the US administration emphasizes its commitment to protecting its citizens while grappling with the complexities of immigration policy and national security. The outcome of Lakanwal’s case and the broader implications for asylum seekers will likely reverberate through the political landscape in the coming months.