Trump pauses asylum cases after DC shooting in escalating legal immigration crackdown
WASHINGTON, DC: The Department of Homeland Security announced that it will pause more than 2.2 million pending asylum cases following a Thanksgiving Eve attack near the White House.
In the attack, Afghan asylee Rahmanullah Lakanwal fatally shot 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom and critically injured 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe.
Lakanwal, who the US evacuated from Afghanistan in 2001 for assisting the CIA, received asylum this April and would have become eligible for a green card next year.
Trump’s administration has a higher priority on American safety
USCIS has halted all asylum decisions until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible. The safety of the American people always comes first.
— USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow (@USCISJoe) November 28, 2025
According to the official X account of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph B Edlow, he declared on November 28, "USCIS has halted all asylum decisions until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."
The post concluded by saying, "The safety of the American people always comes first."
The State Department on Friday, November 28 also paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports “in the wake of a horrific terror attack against the National Guard.”
Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson, said the Trump administration prioritizes American safety above all else and has launched a government-wide effort to protect national security.
"The Trump administration has no higher priority than ensuring the safety of Americans and has launched a whole-of-government effort to defend America’s national security."
USCIS director announces ‘rigorous’ reexamination of every green card
Previously, USCIS Director Joseph Edlow announced on Thursday, November 27, that, following Trump’s instructions, he ordered "a full scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.”
Trump did not immediately comment on the developments but posted on Friday, November 28 that “Only reverse migration can fully cure this situation.”
“…Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation. Other than that, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for — You won’t be here for long!” pic.twitter.com/WP0VqVmgSE
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 28, 2025
A senior White House official told The New York Post that the green-card review is underway, and officials are still discussing the details.
It remains unclear whether the review will target specific countries or require green-card holders to attend interviews. The US currently has about 12.8 million green-card holders, who receive lawful permanent residency through work, family connections, or humanitarian programs. The government does not publicly release country-specific data for the 19 nations under review.
Green-card holders can apply for US citizenship after five years, but many choose not to.
🚨 "I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions... & remove anyone who is not a net asset to the U.S., or is incapable of loving our Country..." - @POTUS pic.twitter.com/Jl5wJ0egRR
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 28, 2025
On Truth Social, Trump vowed to end “millions of Biden illegal admissions” and remove anyone he considers not a net asset to the United States or incapable of loving the country.
He also pledged to "permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the US system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions... & remove anyone who is not a net asset to the US, or is incapable of loving our Country."
