- By Shivangi Sharma
- Thu, 27 Nov 2025 09:28 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The United States has implemented an immediate and indefinite halt on all immigration requests from Afghan nationals, just hours after two National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House in what authorities described as a “targeted ambush.” The move follows President Donald Trump’s forceful remarks condemning the suspect, an Afghan migrant, and linking the incident to broader national security concerns.
According to officials, the shooting occurred in broad daylight just two blocks from the White House. The two Guardsmen, deployed as part of heightened security operations in the capital, were critically injured when a gunman opened fire. The suspect, identified as an Afghan national who fled the Taliban and later arrived in the US, was wounded during an exchange of gunfire and subsequently taken into custody.
USCIS Announces Indefinite Freeze
Shortly after Trump publicly addressed the incident, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced halt to the processing of all immigration pathways for Afghans. This suspension includes visa applications, asylum petitions, refugee admissions, and any pending requests linked to Afghan citizens.
In its statement, USCIS said the pause was effective “immediately and indefinitely,” adding that the decision follows a directive to reassess existing security and vetting measures. “The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission,” the agency wrote. No timeline was offered for when the suspension might be reviewed or lifted.
Trump Links Attack To Immigration And Afghanistan Withdrawal
Speaking from the White House, President Trump condemned the shooting as “an act of evil, an act of hatred, and an act of terror.” He said the assault was not only a crime against the victims but “a crime against our entire nation.” Trump also suggested that the suspect entered the United States during the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation under the Biden administration.
He described Afghanistan as a “hellhole,” arguing that lax vetting procedures endangered American lives. “Based on current intelligence, the Department of Homeland Security believes the suspect is a foreigner who came from Afghanistan, a hellhole on earth,” Trump said.