Washington, D.C., USA: The United States has temporarily halted the processing of visas for anyone holding an Afghan passport, a move announced shortly after a deadly shooting in Washington, D.C., involving an Afghan-origin individual.

In an official announcement on X, the U.S. Department of State stated that visa services for Afghan passport holders have been “immediately paused,” emphasising that the decision was taken to safeguard national security and public safety. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this statement, noting that protecting the American people remains the government’s highest priority.

The decision follows a tragic incident in which an Afghan national shot and killed a National Guard member and seriously injured another during a patrol near the White House.

The victim, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, was on duty alongside 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe when they were attacked on November 26. At the time of the shooting, former President Donald Trump was not at the White House.

Authorities identified the gunman as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan citizen who arrived in the United States in 2021. He had entered through a relocation program created by the Biden administration for Afghans who had assisted U.S. forces, and he later received asylum during Trump’s term.

Investigators reported that Lakanwal travelled from his residence in Washington to carry out the attack, using a high-powered revolver to shoot the two service members before being injured in an exchange of gunfire with responding troops.

Following the incident, President Trump announced sweeping immigration measures, stating he would enforce a “permanent pause” on migration from what he termed “Third World Countries.” He also pledged to end what he described as improper admissions under the previous administration, cancel federal benefits for non-citizens, deport individuals considered security threats, and revoke citizenship from those deemed to disturb national stability.