US pauses visas for Afghan passport holders, puts asylum cases on hold

The US has stopped issuing visas to people travelling on Afghan passports, as officials launch a sweeping security review. Decisions on asylum applications have also been temporarily frozen, leaving thousands unsure about their next step.

Security checks made the priority

The State Department said the move was taken to strengthen national security and protect the public. Officials believe it was important to delay processing until background screenings and security checks are completed.

Soon after the State Department’s announcement, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a similar order. The agency said no case will move forward until security clearance is fully verified. Screenings of foreign applicants will remain incomplete until investigators declare them safe.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated that applications will not be processed without full confidence in the results of the security checks. No individual will be approved unless officials are satisfied with their review.

Incident triggered tougher approach

The decision followed a shooting near the White House this week, where an Afghan-origin man reportedly opened fire on National Guard troops. A female guard was killed and another was seriously injured in the attack.

US media reports said the suspect arrived in the US in 2021 under a resettlement programme. The incident has prompted authorities to revisit immigration screening levels for Afghan citizens and other applicants from fragile regions.

Political stance hardens

A day before the policy shift, President Donald Trump said there may be plans to place a long-term ban on migration from third-world countries. He also said citizenship could be cancelled for individuals believed to pose a danger to domestic peace or public safety.

US agencies said the latest steps were not aimed at a specific nationality but part of a wider review driven by safety concerns. However, critics warn the sudden pause could create uncertainty for Afghan families, students and workers who already cleared parts of the vetting process.

The visa freeze and asylum suspension will stay in place until further notice, as authorities work to complete security reviews and update immigration protocols.