Anna Hartz
When a violent event happens, it often sends shockwaves far beyond the scene itself. It can prompt fear, anger, and fast political reactions.
The shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington DC has now created exactly that kind of moment in the United States.
It has pushed the Trump administration to introduce new measures that reach deep into the immigration system. Those measures affect thousands of people who have nothing to do with the attack, yet now find their futures uncertain.
“The Strictest Possible Standards”
The administration has ordered a halt to all asylum decisions, reports BBC. USCIS director Joseph Edlow said the freeze will remain in place until the agency feels certain that every applicant has been vetted to the strictest possible standard.
Officers were told not to approve, deny, or close any asylum cases. They may work on them, but they may not take any final action.
The announcement came only hours after President Donald Trump said he would pause migration from what he called “third world countries.” The comments appeared after the shooting, which left one National Guard member dead.
Officials say the suspect is an Afghan national who entered the US in 2021 under a program for Afghans who had worked with American forces.
Raised Concerns
The administration has released few details about its next steps. It has already suspended immigration requests from Afghans while reviewing security rules.
It also ordered a new review of green cards issued to people from 19 countries named in an earlier White House proclamation. Those countries include Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, Cuba, and Venezuela.
President Trump has also promised to end federal benefits for noncitizens. He said this change would help the US recover from earlier policies that he believes harmed living conditions for Americans.
The reaction has raised concerns from the UN and from immigration lawyers. They point out that the attacker’s motive has not been confirmed and that mental health could have been a factor. They warn against blaming entire communities for the actions of one person.
The suspect has been arrested and is not cooperating with investigators. A second National Guard member remains in critical condition. The future of many asylum seekers now hangs in the balance as the immigration system waits for new direction.
Sources: BBC
