US President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will continue an indefinite pause on asylum decisions in the wake of the November 26 shooting near the White House, which resulted in the death of a National Guard member.
The suspect, an Afghan national admitted to the United States under the 2021 resettlement programme, has been charged with first-degree murder. In response to the incident, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the asylum freeze is consistent with existing travel restrictions on 19 countries.
Officials say the decision provides time to reassess vetting procedures and broader migration policies, with an emphasis on national security. The administration has indicated that the pause will remain in effect until new protocols and evaluations are completed.
