According to the US State Department, the decision aims to strengthen national security protocols and ensure that background checks and screening procedures are completed before any case proceeds. Soon after the announcement, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a similar directive, confirming that no applications would advance without full security clearance.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said that authorities will not approve any applicant until officials are fully confident in the outcomes of the security verifications.
Also Read: Trump plans to permanently pause immigration from Third World countries
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also took to X to share the news.
"President Trump’s State Department has paused visa issuance for ALL individuals traveling on Afghan passports," Rubio wrote in a post. "The United States has no higher priority than protecting our nation and our people."
The stricter approach follows an incident near the White House earlier this week, where a man of Afghan origin allegedly opened fire on National Guard personnel, resulting in the death of a female officer and serious injuries to another. US media reported that the suspect entered the country in 2021 under a resettlement programme. The episode has prompted agencies to reassess screening standards for Afghan nationals and applicants from other conflict-affected regions.
Also Read: Afghans say last path to safety blocked as US halts visas after White House shooting
The policy comes a day after President Donald Trump signaled the possibility of long-term restrictions on migration from developing countries. He also indicated that citizenship could be revoked for individuals deemed a threat to public safety.
US authorities maintain that the latest measures are part of a wider security review rather than a step targeting a specific nationality. However, immigration advocates warn that the sudden pause could affect Afghan students, workers, and families who have already completed parts of the vetting process.
The visa and asylum freeze will remain in effect until the review is completed and updated immigration procedures are finalised.
