Washington, D.C. – The United States government has announced a suspension of all asylum decisions and a tightening of immigration policies, effective immediately. This decision follows a recent attack in Washington, D.C., where a National Guard soldier was killed and another seriously injured. An Afghan national has been charged in connection with the incident.
According to a statement, the Department of Immigration has suspended all decisions related to granting asylum in the United States pending a thorough security vetting of all foreign nationals. The measure aims to ensure national security in the wake of the aforementioned attack.
Furthermore, the issuance of visas to Afghan passport holders has also been temporarily suspended. These measures reflect an immediate response to perceived vulnerabilities in the current immigration system.
“The United States has no higher priority than protecting our country and our people,” a high ranking official stated, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to national security.
This announcement comes after the government revealed plans to significantly reduce the number of asylum grants to approximately 7,500 annually, a stark contrast to the estimated 100,000 granted under the previous administration.
In addition to the asylum suspension, a comprehensive review of permanent residency permits (‘Green Cards’) issued to citizens of 19 countries deemed “sources of concern” is also underway. This review aims to identify and address any potential security risks associated with individuals who have already been granted permanent residency.
DZWatch will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as they become available.
