US Suspends Visas For Afghan Passport Holders After DC Shooting Near White House

The United States has suspended the processing and issuance of visas for all travellers holding Afghan passports, a decision announced shortly after an Afghan national fatally shot a National Guard member near the White House and injured another.

In a statement posted on X, the US Department of State said, "The Department of State has IMMEDIATELY paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports." It added that all necessary measures were being taken to safeguard US national security and public safety. Secretary of State Marco Rubio separately reaffirmed the move on X, noting that protecting the country and its citizens remains the United States' highest priority.

This policy shift comes in the aftermath of an incident in which an Afghan national shot two National Guard members on November 26. The attack claimed the life of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and left 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe injured. Both were on patrol just blocks from the White House when the gunman opened fire. President Donald Trump was not at the White House during the incident.

The shooter, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, arrived in the United States in 2021 under a resettlement initiative launched by then-President Joe Biden's administration for Afghans who had assisted the US during the war. Lakanwal later received asylum under President Trump.

Investigators reported that Lakanwal travelled from his residence in Washington to carry out the attack, using a powerful revolver to shoot the two Guardsmen before being wounded in an exchange of gunfire with other military personnel.

Following the incident, President Trump announced that he would impose a "permanent pause" on migration from "all Third World Countries," and vowed to end what he described as "illegal admissions" implemented under former President Joe Biden. He also said federal benefits for non-citizens would be terminated. Additionally, Trump stated that his administration would deport foreign nationals deemed security threats and "denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility."