The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced a halt on processing all immigration requests from Afghan nationals, citing the need for improved vetting protocols. This comes after the Trump administration took action following a shooting in Washington, D.C., which left two West Virginia National Guard members critically injured.

The decision was made in response to concerns over the security of the homeland and American people, with the USCIS stating that processing of all immigration requests related to Afghan nationals will be paused indefinitely while protocols are reviewed. This follows President Trump’s call for a re-examination of immigrants who entered the U.S. from Afghanistan under the Biden administration, particularly those who arrived under “Operation Allies Welcome” program.

The suspension comes amid ongoing scrutiny over the vetting process for individuals who entered the country in 2021, with officials emphasizing the need for stringent security measures to prevent potential threats.