US Immigration Freeze for Afghans After Security Incident
The United States has made a significant decision to halt all immigration processing for Afghan nationals indefinitely. This drastic measure comes as a direct response to a serious security incident that occurred near the White House in Washington, where two National Guard soldiers were shot and critically wounded.
Official Announcement and Immediate Effect
In an official statement released through Twitter, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed this development. The agency declared, "Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols."
The suspension affects all categories of immigration applications from Afghan citizens, regardless of their nature or previous processing status. This blanket halt demonstrates the seriousness with which US authorities are treating the security concerns raised by the recent incident.
Presidential Response and Political Context
US President Donald Trump has categorically labeled the shooting "an act of terror" and identified the suspect as someone who originated from Afghanistan in 2021. This assessment has directly influenced the administration's immigration policy decisions.
The current move aligns perfectly with President Trump's earlier demands for his government to re-examine Afghan immigrants who entered the United States during Joe Biden's presidency. This represents a significant shift in immigration policy specifically targeting individuals from Afghanistan.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services emphasized that "the protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission." This statement underscores the primary motivation behind the suspension - national security concerns taking precedence over immigration processing.
The indefinite nature of this suspension indicates that comprehensive security reviews are underway, and normal processing will only resume after thorough vetting protocols have been re-established and deemed satisfactory by security agencies.
