USA US immigration authorities: Asylum decisions halted for now
Following the shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it is suspending all asylum decisions for the time being. This halt will apply until it can be ensured that every foreigner is checked and vetted as thoroughly as possible, wrote the head of the agency, Joseph Edlow, on the X platform and on Facebook.
29.11.2025, 03:08
SDA
Just one day earlier, US President Donald Trump had announced a complete ban on the admission of all people from "third world countries". "I will permanently stop migration from all third world countries", he wrote on his online platform Truth Social. He did not specify which countries he was referring to and how and when he intends to enforce such an admission ban.
Shortly after the incident, the US immigration authorities announced, on Trump's instructions, that they would comprehensively review the green cards of "all foreigners from all problematic countries". A green card allows foreign nationals to reside and work permanently in the USA. In addition to Afghans, people from 18 other countries such as Iran, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Cuba and Venezuela are also affected by the move.
Human rights activists warn against political instrumentalization
On Wednesday, two National Guardsmen were shot just a few blocks from the White House. According to Trump, one soldier succumbed to her injuries and the second National Guardsman is fighting for his life. The alleged perpetrator - an Afghan who entered the USA in 2021 - has been arrested. The motive for the attack is unknown.
After the incident, Trump described refugees as the main cause of social problems in the USA. Human rights activists warned against instrumentalizing the attack politically.
