UPDATE: President Donald Trump has just announced a sweeping indefinite pause on asylum decisions following the tragic shooting that resulted in the death of 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom near the White House. This urgent policy shift comes after the shooting on November 26, 2023, where an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly opened fire, injuring another guardsman who remains in critical condition.
In a press conference on Sunday, Trump declared he has “no time limit” on the asylum suspension, linking it to a list of 19 nations already facing US travel bans. “We don’t want those people,” Trump stated emphatically. “You know why we don’t want them? Because many have been no good, and they shouldn’t be in our country.” His administration is now under pressure to address the fallout from this incident and its implications for US immigration policies.
The shooting has raised alarms over the vetting process of immigrants, particularly after Lakanwal was granted asylum in April 2025 during the Trump administration. Trump pointed fingers at President Joe Biden, blaming his “lax vetting” for allowing Lakanwal into the country during the Afghan airlift. “We’re going to get them out of here!” Trump asserted, pledging to implement a “permanent pause” on migration from all Third World Countries to allow the US system to recover fully.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that this asylum moratorium will impact countries including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, and Myanmar, all of which have faced recent US travel restrictions. The administration’s actions are stirring intense debate about the future of US asylum policies and the ongoing fallout from the Biden-era Afghan resettlement process.
In a show of support, Trump has invited the grieving family of Specialist Beckstrom to the White House, expressing his condolences to her parents. “When you’re ready, because that’s a tough thing, come to the White House. We’re going to honor Sarah,” Trump told reporters. The invitation extends to critically injured Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, offering him a chance to recuperate at the executive mansion.
Vigils are being held across West Virginia, Beckstrom’s home state, as communities come together to remember the fallen guardsman and pray for Wolfe’s recovery. This heart-wrenching incident has reignited discussions on the implications of military service and the security of US borders.
As the situation develops, attention remains focused on how this indefinite pause on asylum will alter the landscape of immigration in the United States. The administration’s next steps are being closely monitored as the nation grapples with the emotional and political ramifications of this tragedy.
