Trump isn’t playing anymore games.
In a major escalation to protect American families, President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered an emergency freeze on more than 2.2 million pending asylum cases. The move comes after a shocking Thanksgiving Eve attack near the White House that left one young National Guard member dead and another critically injured—an incident officials say never should have happened.
Deadly Attack Sparks Immediate Action
Federal authorities say the attacker, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was granted asylum earlier this year despite long-standing concerns about vetting failures under previous administrations. Lakanwal had been evacuated from Afghanistan in 2001 after working with the CIA’s “Zero Unit,” yet he was approved for asylum in April, placing him on track to receive a green card next year.
On the night before Thanksgiving, Lakanwal allegedly opened fire on National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, killing Beckstrom and leaving Wolfe in critical condition just yards from the White House. The incident instantly revived alarm over national security failures, weak immigration screening, and the lingering fallout of Biden-era policies.
State Department Freezes Afghan Visa Issuance
In response, the State Department announced a full halt on visa processing for individuals traveling on Afghan passports. Officials described the measure as “necessary and urgent” given the “horrific terror attack against the National Guard.”
Tommy Pigott, deputy spokesperson for the administration, underscored the message clearly:
“The Trump administration has no higher priority than ensuring the safety of the American people.”
USCIS: All Asylum Decisions Now Halted
DHS and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed that all asylum decisions nationwide have been paused until every applicant can be screened at the “maximum level possible.”
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated: “The safety of the American people always comes first. We will not move forward until every alien is vetted to the highest national-security standard.”
Edlow also confirmed a full reevaluation of more than 720,000 green-card holders from 19 countries of concern, following President Trump’s directive.
Trump: “Only Reverse Migration Can Fix This”
While President Trump did not release a full statement Friday, he made his position unmistakable on Truth Social: “Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation.”
According to a senior White House official, the administration is already drafting plans for a rigorous, nationwide review of green-card holders, with further steps expected soon.
Who Falls Under the New Review?
The United States has roughly 12.8 million green-card holders, many eligible for citizenship over time. But DHS data highlights which nationalities are most likely to be scrutinized under the new security sweep.
Among those gaining residency from 2021 to 2025:
- Cuba: 335,186
- Afghanistan: 123,017
- Venezuela: 73,900
- Haiti: 49,900
- Iran: 35,853
Nations with strong ties to terrorism or major conflict also appear prominently:
- Yemen: 25,457
- Sudan: 12,218
- Somalia: 6,669
- Libya: 2,228
Additional nations on the list include Burma, Burundi, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Turkmenistan.
Some nations have large existing green-card populations despite lower recent arrivals, including:
- Haiti: More than 210,000
- Cuba: More than 550,000
These figures underscore the size of the population now subject to deeper vetting under Trump’s national-security review.
Reversing the Damage of Biden-Era Immigration Policies
This aggressive overhaul comes after years of unprecedented chaos at the southern border under Joe Biden. Illegal crossings soared to more than 301,000 in December 2024, shattering all previous records. Many arrivals came from countries with terrorism concerns or unstable governments.
After reinstating Trump-era standards, the number dropped dramatically to fewer than 8,000 crossings in July—proof, supporters say, that decisive action works.
President Trump has pledged to:
- Terminate millions of Biden-era parole admissions
- Remove individuals who are not a net asset to the United States
- Suspend all migration from unstable Third World nations until the system is fully restored
A Clear Message: America Comes First
The Trump administration’s emergency measures mark one of the strongest immigration clampdowns in modern history. Supporters say the actions finally put American safety, national sovereignty, and common sense back at the forefront after years of dangerous neglect.
With asylum cases frozen, visa issuance paused, and green-card holders facing renewed scrutiny, the administration is sending a message loud and clear: America’s security is non-negotiable.