The United States has halted all visa services for individuals travelling on Afghan passports, a sudden decision announced just days after an Afghan national opened fire near the White House, killing a National Guard member and injuring another. The State Department confirmed the move in a post on X, declaring that visa issuance for Afghan passport holders had been “immediately paused.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the government was taking every possible step to safeguard national security, emphasising that there is “no higher priority” than protecting Americans.

The suspension comes alongside another major action by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which has stopped all asylum rulings until further notice. USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow stated that the agency would only resume decisions once it could ensure that every applicant is vetted “to the maximum degree possible,” reiterating that the safety of American citizens remains paramount. The State Department had already frozen immigration requests from Afghans earlier this week as part of a larger review of vetting procedures.

The policy shift follows the November 26 shooting in Washington, D.C., where 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom was fatally shot while on patrol near the White House. Her colleague, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, was seriously wounded. Authorities identified the shooter as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, whom the Department of Homeland Security described as “a criminal alien from Afghanistan.” Lakanwal, who was shot and injured by law enforcement before being detained, reportedly travelled across the country from Washington state before launching the attack with a powerful revolver.

Officials said Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 under President Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome, which resettled Afghan nationals after the Taliban takeover. He was later granted asylum under the Trump administration. The incident has already sparked fierce political reactions. Former President Donald Trump labelled the shooting an “act of terror” and vowed to expel foreign nationals who pose security risks, though he clarified that he does not blame all Afghans. Trump criticised the vetting process after the fall of Kabul, claiming people were allowed to enter the country without sufficient checks. He also said he intends to “permanently pause” migration from “Third World countries” and revoke citizenship from immigrants deemed threats to public safety.