US suspends visas for travellers with Afghan passports after Washington DC

By FnF Correspondent | PUBLISHED: 29, Nov 2025, 9:43 am IST | UPDATED: 29, Nov 2025, 9:43 am IST

The US has paused all visa services for people travelling on Afghan passports. The move came just days after an Afghan national shot and killed a National Guard member near the White House and injured another. In a post on X, the State Department said, “The Department of State has IMMEDIATELY paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that the US is taking all steps needed to protect national security, saying the country has “no higher priority” than keeping Americans safe.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also announced a stop on all asylum rulings. USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow posted on X, “USCIS has halted all asylum decisions until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible. The safety of the American people always comes first.” Earlier, the State Department had already paused all immigration requests from Afghans while it reviewed security checks.

President Donald Trump called the attack an “act of terror”, saying he would work to remove foreigners who “do not belong here.” But when asked if he blames all Afghans, he said, “No, but we’ve had a lot of problems with Afghans… There was no checking! They just poured into the plane.”

The shooting happened on November 26. The victim, 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, was on patrol only blocks from the White House with fellow Guardsman Andrew Wolfe, 24, when a gunman opened fire. Trump was not in the White House at the time.

Suspect entered US in 2021

The Department of Homeland Security identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, describing him as “a criminal alien from Afghanistan.” He was shot, wounded, and taken into custody. Officials said Lakanwal entered the US in September 2021 under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome, which resettled Afghans after the Taliban takeover. He was later granted asylum under the Trump administration.

Investigators say he travelled across the country from his home in Washington state before carrying out the attack with a powerful revolver.

New migration measures announced

After the shooting, Trump said he would “permanently pause” migration from “all Third World countries” and end what he called “illegal admissions” under former President Biden. He also said he plans to deport foreign nationals seen as security risks and remove citizenship from migrants who threaten public safety.