U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services decided to freeze pending immigration requests from 19 countries that the Trump administration deems “high risk” for national security reasons after an Afghan national critically shot two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., last week.
In a four-page memo issued Tuesday, the immigration and naturalization agency said all benefit applications filed by foreign nationals from 19 high-risk countries, including Afghanistan, are placed on hold until further notice. All asylum applications, regardless of the applicant’s country of nationality, are also paused indefinitely.
Joining Afghanistan on the list are Burma, Burundi, Chad, Cuba, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Yemen. These are the same countries that were included in President Donald Trump’s June 4 proclamation for travel restrictions, both full and partial.
“In light of identified concerns and the threat to the American people, USCIS has determined that a comprehensive re-review, potential interview, and re-interview of all aliens from high-risk countries of concern who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021 is necessary,” the memo states, referencing former President Joe Biden’s inauguration date as a starting point for the immigration freeze. “Lastly, USCIS may, when appropriate, extend this review and re-interview process to aliens who entered the United States outside of this timeframe.”
USCIS said it remains committed to making sure all immigrants who enter the U.S. from countries of concern are not considered threats to national security or the general public.
In the wake of the high-profile shooting in the nation’s capital, Trump blamed the Biden administration for establishing the Afghan resettlement program that allowed the shooter to enter the U.S. in 2021 without proper vetting.
AN AFGHAN NATIONAL WAS CHARGED IN THE DC NATIONAL GUARD SHOOTING. HERE’S WHERE THINGS STAND
Authorities identified Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, as the attacker of the two National Guard troops. The suspect committed the ambush shooting outside a Metro station near the White House on Thanksgiving eve. The critically wounded female troop died one day later, and the male troop is on his way to recovery while remaining in critical condition.
The Department of Justice formally charged Lakanwal with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges on Tuesday.
“Recently, the United States has seen what a lack of screening, vetting, and prioritizing expedient adjudications can do to the American people,” USCIS said, citing the suspected terrorist attack and a separate plot in which an ISIS-tied Afghan national planned a terrorist attack on Election Day 2024.
“USCIS plays an instrumental role in preventing terrorists from seeking safe haven in the United States and ensuring that USCIS’ screening and vetting and adjudications prioritize the safety of the American people and uphold all U.S. laws,” the agency added.
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DID NOT VET OR RUN LAKANWAL’S NAME THROUGH DATABASES IN 2021
Within 90 days of the memo, USCIS will create a prioritized list of immigrants for review and, if appropriate, refer them to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement agencies.
Tuesday’s move comes after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recommended a full travel ban for all high-risk countries after meeting with Trump. The expanded list is expected to grow to 30 countries or more, according to news reports, beyond the initial 19 high-risk countries.
