• Trump administration pauses asylum decisions for all nationalities.
• Immigration review launched after National Guard shooting in Washington, D.C.
• Focus on asylum cases approved during the Biden administration.
• Shooting suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was an Afghan national granted asylum.
• Review will include Green Cards issued for citizens from 19 countries of concern.

The Trump administration has ordered a suspension of all asylum decisions across all nationalities following a recent shooting incident involving National Guard members in Washington, D.C. This directive, revealed through an internal notice, aims to ensure rigorous vetting and screening processes for asylum applicants after the attack, which allegedly involved an Afghan national who had entered under a resettlement program, according to Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and CBS News.

The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, reportedly entered the United States in 2021 and was granted asylum this spring under Trump’s administration. Following the attack, which left one serviceman dead and another critically injured, the response from DHS included an indefinite review of all asylum cases approved during Biden's presidency. "USCIS has halted all asylum decisions until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible," said USCIS director Joe Edlow, emphasizing safety concerns for the American populace, according to India Times and Channel News Asia.

In response to the shooting, the DHS also announced a review of Green Card applications from individuals in 19 countries previously deemed as "of concern." This list was referenced in a travel ban issued by Trump in June, covering countries such as Afghanistan, Burundi, and Venezuela, according to India Times and South China Morning Post.

This pause on asylum decisions is seen as part of a broader initiative aimed at tightening immigration controls, particularly concerning individuals from nations affected by the reviewed travel ban. Officials from the Trump administration have cited inadequate vetting as a significant concern and have promised thorough inspections of immigration statuses to prevent future incidents similar to the shooting, according to CBS News and South China Morning Post.