WASHINGTON (AP) — Since last week’s shooting of two National Guard members in the nation’s capital by a suspect who is an Afghan national, the Trump administration announced a flurry of policies aimed at making it harder for some foreigners to enter or stay in the country.
The administration said it was pausing asylum decisions, reexamining green card applications for people from countries 'of concern' and halting visas for Afghans who assisted the U.S. war effort.
Days before the shooting, a memo obtained by The Associated Press indicated the administration would review the cases of all refugees who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration.
Critics argue that the new measures represent collective punishment, emphasizing the illegitimacy of reopening well-processed cases while governmental resources could be better utilized elsewhere.
The Trump administration defends these policies as essential for ensuring that individuals entering the country do not pose a security threat.
All Asylum Decisions Suspended
In a statement via social media, Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, mentioned a pause on asylum decisions until all individuals can be thoroughly vetted and screened.
Importantly, formal guidelines regarding this pause remain absent, leading to uncertainty about its implications for asylum seekers.
Asylum applicants must prove a credible threat of persecution upon return home. The Afghan shooter had already been granted asylum earlier this year, according to advocacy group #AfghanEvac.
A Focus on Countries 'of Concern'
On November 27, Edlow remarked that the agency was initiating a thorough reexamination of green card applicants from countries labeled as 'high-risk,' including Afghanistan. Edlow emphasized the non-negotiable nature of American safety.
The administration aims to tighten scrutiny for immigration benefits amongst individuals from 19 countries, previously targeted through travel bans.
No Visas for Afghans
Additionally, USCIS announced the suspension of all immigration requests related to Afghan nationals affecting both those already in the U.S. and potential applicants for SIVs.
After halting the Special Immigrant Visa program—a crucial pathway for U.S. collaborators to migrate—the State Department further complicated immigration for approximately 180,000 Afghans in the midst of applying.
A Review of Refugees Admitted Under the Biden Administration
At the crux of the administration's policy shift is a sweeping review targeting nearly 200,000 refugees processed during the Biden presidency. Advocates argue that refugees are already vetted through rigorous processes that cater to their distinct needs.
As the immigration landscape continues to evolve, tensions mount over the balance between national security and humanitarian assistance.
