United States Suspends Visas for Afghan Passport Holders Citing National Security

U.S. pause on Afghan immigration

U.S. authorities have paused visa issuance and immigration processing for Afghan passport holders and related Afghan immigration requests, citing national-security concerns after a recent violent incident in Washington, D.C.

Multiple agencies moved quickly: the State Department paused visa issuance for Afghan passports, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) halted asylum decisions and certain Afghan-related adjudications pending a review of vetting procedures.

Officials and outlets describe the pause as indefinite while authorities re-examine prior approvals and screening practices tied to Afghan arrivals since 2021.

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Immigration screening changes

Officials framed the measures as national-security precautions tied to a rapidly developing criminal investigation. The administration, citing concerns about vetting and prior admissions, expanded screening criteria and ordered re-examinations of certain green-card approvals from a 19-country list.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the changes correct prior vetting and prioritize citizen safety. The White House and DHS additionally broadened reviews of asylum approvals issued under the previous administration and temporarily stopped some adjudications tied to Operation Allies Welcome, reflecting top-level direction to re-examine post-2021 admissions.

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White House shooting investigation

Authorities implemented measures after a high-profile shooting near the White House tied to a 29-year-old Afghan national identified by multiple outlets as Rahmanullah Lakanwal. He reportedly arrived under Operation Allies Welcome in 2021 and, according to several reports, applied for and was granted asylum in 2024–25. Outlets differ on biographical details, with many U.S. and international reports saying he had worked with U.S. partner forces or CIA-backed units in Afghanistan.

Investigators continue to probe the motive and exactly who fired the shots that incapacitated the suspect. The FBI opened an inquiry into whether the attack was terrorism, local officials described the shooting as targeted, and authorities executed searches and nationwide warrants as part of the investigation.

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Responses to vetting pause

Civil‑rights groups, immigrant advocates and some legal experts warn the pause and related country‑wide screenings risk collective punishment, discrimination and constitutional challenges. Advocacy groups such as CAIR described broad crackdowns tied to a single shooting as potentially unconstitutional collective punishment and cautioned against stigmatizing Afghans resettled after working with U.S. forces.

Legal analysts widely predict litigation over sweeping restrictions modeled on earlier travel bans. By contrast, proponents in some conservative and security‑focused outlets argue broader suspensions and re‑examinations are justified to restore public safety and correct alleged vetting gaps.

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Screening suspension impacts

The suspension and screening expansions have immediate human and administrative impacts. Roughly 200,000 Afghans who arrived after 2021 now face uncertainty about immigration benefits and resettlement. Universities and students are affected, and legal advocates warn the pause will create delays and potential humanitarian consequences.

Officials also ordered re-interviews and searches in multiple states as part of nationwide probes. Investigators are still seeking motive and the facts remain under active investigation, leaving policy responses contested and subject to legal and public-policy debate.

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