WASHINGTON: The United States has implemented an immediate and sweeping suspension of visas for all individuals traveling on Afghan passports, marking a significant shift in its immigration policy. The dramatic move, announced by the US State Department, is part of a broader set of measures enacted to bolster national security and public safety.
The policy change extends beyond new visa applicants. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has concurrently suspended all decisions on asylum applications from Afghan nationals. Agency Director Joseph Adlow stated that all such decisions are on hold until a maximum level of vetting and screening can be ensured for every foreign national.
The Department of State has IMMEDIATELY paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports.
The Department is taking all necessary steps to protect U.S. national security and public safety.
— Department of State (@StateDept) November 28, 2025
These decisive actions come in the direct aftermath of a violent incident near the White House. Authorities confirmed that the gunman responsible for a shooting on Wednesday, which resulted in the death of one National Guardsman and left another seriously injured, was an Afghan national. The assailant had initially entered the United States in 2021 under a refugee resettlement program.
The new measures align with earlier hardline statements from former President Donald Trump, who had called for a permanent suspension of immigration from certain regions and the revocation of citizenship for refugees who commit acts of violence. While the current administration has not gone that far, the immediate suspension of visas and asylum processing reflects a swift and severe governmental response to the recent attack. The developments signal a major challenge for Afghan citizens seeking refuge or entry into the United States, as the pathway has been effectively closed pending a comprehensive security review.
After the decision speaking to British media, an Afghan citizen requested the Trump administration to reconsider its decision regarding the immigration process.
Another Afghan citizen said that they were also facing problems from the Taliban in Afghanistan and now problems have started in the United States as well.
