Washington D.C. – The United States Department of State has reportedly suspended the issuance of visas to Afghan nationals, effectively halting a special immigration program for Afghans who aided the U.S. during its 20-year presence in Afghanistan.
A directive, allegedly dispatched to all U.S. diplomatic missions, instructs consular officials to deny all visa applications from Afghan citizens, including those applying for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). This suspension impacts both immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories.
The State Department’s reported action follows an incident involving a former member of an Afghan unit supported by the CIA, who is accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers in Washington D.C., resulting in one fatality.
Senator Marco Rubio stated on X (formerly Twitter) that a temporary suspension of visa issuance for individuals traveling with Afghan passports was in effect. The State Department seemingly referred to Rubio’s statement when asked for comment.
The State Department directive stated that the visa suspension aims to ensure applicant identity verification and eligibility under U.S. law. The measure is designed to allow for a thorough review of existing procedures.
Critics argue that this action is part of a broader effort by the current administration to prevent Afghans from entering the United States. Sean Van Diver, head of the organization Afghan Evac, stated this outcome has been sought for months. The White House has not yet issued a statement regarding the matter.
DZWatch is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available. This suspension adds another layer of complexity to the already challenging situation faced by Afghan allies seeking refuge in the United States. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had already paused certain processing aspects previously.
