Washington, D.C. – November 29, 2025
In a sweeping move that has sent shockwaves through the immigration system, the Trump administration announced a nationwide pause on all decisions related to asylum applications late Friday, just days after a tragic shooting in the nation's capital claimed the life of one National Guard soldier and left another in critical condition. The decision, described by officials as a necessary step to enhance national security vetting, comes amid heightened scrutiny over the suspect's background as an Afghan national who previously collaborated with U.S. intelligence agencies.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon near the National Mall, where 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly opened fire on two members of the D.C. National Guard during a routine patrol. One soldier, identified as 32-year-old Sgt. Marcus Hale from Virginia, was killed at the scene, while his partner, 28-year-old Cpl. Elena Vasquez, remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Authorities arrested Lakanwal shortly after the attack without further incident; he faces federal charges including murder and attempted murder, with the FBI classifying the shooting as a potential act of domestic terrorism.
Lakanwal, who immigrated to the United States in 2021 under a special program for Afghan allies who assisted U.S. forces during the withdrawal from Afghanistan, had a complex history with American intelligence. As a former member of the CIA-backed "Zero Unit"—an elite Afghan paramilitary force—he underwent rigorous vetting both abroad and upon arrival in the U.S. Despite this, friends and associates described Lakanwal as struggling with severe mental health issues stemming from his wartime experiences, including post-traumatic stress disorder. He successfully applied for asylum in early 2025, shortly after President Trump's inauguration, but his green card application for permanent residency was still pending at the time of the shooting.
The administration's response was swift and far-reaching. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow issued a directive Friday morning instructing officers to suspend all approvals, denials, or closures of asylum claims across all nationalities, effective immediately. "USCIS has halted all asylum decisions until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible," Edlow stated in an official release, emphasizing that the pause prioritizes "the safety of the American people." While case reviews can continue internally, no final decisions will be made until further notice—a timeline that remains unspecified.
This halt extends a series of escalating immigration restrictions. Earlier in the week, the Department of Homeland Security suspended all visa issuances for Afghan nationals under the special immigrant visa program and froze pending immigration requests from Afghanistan pending a comprehensive review. The administration also announced a reexamination of green cards issued to immigrants from 19 "countries of concern," including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela, as part of a broader June proclamation.
President Trump, addressing the shooting directly in a fiery Truth Social post and subsequent White House remarks, framed the incident as emblematic of systemic failures in U.S. immigration policy. "This savage monster was let in by the radical left under Biden—now look what they've unleashed," Trump declared, vowing a "permanent pause on migration from all Third World countries" to allow the system to "fully recover." He further pledged to end federal benefits for non-citizens, initiate mass deportations of those deemed "not a net asset" to the U.S., and eliminate birthright citizenship. Trump singled out Afghan and Somali immigrants in his rhetoric, claiming Somali "gangs" in Minnesota are "roving the streets looking for prey," despite no direct link to the D.C. shooting.
The policy shift has ignited fierce backlash from immigration advocates, Democratic lawmakers, and international observers. Jeremy McKinney, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, condemned the measures as "scapegoating migrants for a tragedy whose motives are still under investigation." He highlighted Lakanwal's mental health struggles, arguing that "radicalization and illness don't discriminate by nationality." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the asylum freeze "a knee-jerk overreach that punishes vulnerable people fleeing persecution," warning it could violate U.S. obligations under international law.
The United Nations Human Rights Office echoed these concerns, with spokesperson Jeremy Laurence stating, "Asylum seekers are entitled to protection under international law, and that should be afforded due process—no matter the circumstances." Legal experts anticipate swift court challenges, similar to those that stalled Trump's first-term travel bans, potentially delaying implementation.
For the thousands of asylum seekers already in limbo—over 1.5 million cases pending nationwide as of last month—this indefinite pause means prolonged uncertainty, separation from families, and heightened vulnerability. As the investigation into Lakanwal's motives continues, the shooting has reignited a national debate over balancing security with humanitarian commitments, testing the boundaries of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration agenda in its early months.
TCO News will continue to monitor developments in this fast-evolving story.
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