WASHINGTON (AP) — Following the recent shooting of two National Guard members by a suspect identified as an Afghan national, the Trump administration has swiftly announced several immigration policy changes aimed at increasing security measures for foreigners entering or residing in the United States.
As part of this initiative, the administration has decided to halt asylum decisions, reexamine green card applications from countries deemed 'of concern,' and cease visa issuance to Afghans who contributed to the U.S. military efforts in Afghanistan.
Amidst these developments, a memo surfaced revealing plans for a review of all refugee cases admitted during the Biden administration, intensifying criticism from refugee advocates who view the new policies as collective punishment and a misallocation of government resources.
In the aftermath of the shooting, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that all asylum decisions would be paused until comprehensive vetting can be assured. There remains a lack of formal guidelines outlining the parameters and duration of this pause.
Additionally, USCIS Director Joseph Edlow indicated that a full reassessment of green card applications would be undertaken for individuals from 'high-risk' countries. These include Afghanistan, amongst others.
The administration has already restricted travel from various nations and is now specifically addressing Afghan cases, having halted immigration requests related to Afghan nationals and stopping visa issuance for Afghan passport holders. Previously, the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program was a viable pathway for Afghans who faced retaliation for their work, but these recent measures effectively close that avenue as well.
Moving forward, the Trump administration is poised to conduct a sweeping review of nearly 200,000 refugees admitted under the Biden administration, exacerbating concerns regarding the future of these individuals who have already undergone rigorous vetting processes.
