UPDATE: Former President Donald Trump has just announced a significant and indefinite halt on asylum decisions following a tragic shooting incident near the White House that resulted in the death of a National Guardsman. The announcement came on November 26, 2023, after an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and injuring another guardsman.
During a press conference, Trump stated that there would be “no time limit” on this asylum suspension, emphasizing the need for heightened security measures. “We don’t want those people,” Trump declared, attributing the shooting to “lax vetting” practices and vowing to remove undesirable individuals from the country.
The Department of Homeland Security has linked this policy change to an existing travel ban affecting 19 nations, including Afghanistan, Cuba, and Iran. This decision follows the recent surge of concerns surrounding the vetting of Afghan refugees who entered the United States after the military withdrawal in 2021.
Lakanwal, 29, who previously served with a CIA-supported unit against the Taliban, was granted asylum in April 2025 during Trump’s administration. The shooting has intensified scrutiny over the Biden administration’s handling of Afghan resettlement, raising questions about national security and immigration policies.
In a heartfelt gesture, Trump invited the family of the deceased guardsman to the White House, expressing condolences to Beckstrom’s parents. “When you’re ready, because that’s a tough thing, come to the White House. We’re going to honor Sarah,” he told reporters, also extending similar hospitality to the critically injured Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24.
Vigils are being held across West Virginia to honor Beckstrom and support Wolfe’s recovery, as communities grapple with the tragic loss. The incident has sparked a renewed debate over U.S. asylum policy and the future of immigration under a potential Trump administration.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on how this indefinite asylum pause will be implemented and its potential impact on ongoing immigration cases. The urgency of this announcement underscores the administration’s focus on national security amid rising tensions over immigration policies.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
