U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Announces Halt to All Asylum Decisions
The Afghan man accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, killing one, will face first-degree murder charges for an attack that prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to declare he would stop migrants from “Third World Countries.”
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said on Fox News on Friday that other charges would be filed against 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who she said ambushed the soldiers from the West Virginia National Guard near the White House on Wednesday.
US President Donald Trump called the shooting a “terrorist attack,” and said he wants to “permanently pause migration” from poorer nations and expel millions of immigrants from the country.
“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover,” Trump said in his social media posts.
He did not, however, say which countries he considers “Third World,” nor what he meant by a permanent pause.
Asked about Trump’s comment on “Third World” countries, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security referred Reuters to 19 countries listed in a June travel ban.
Accordingly, the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Joseph Edlow, announced on Friday that all asylum decisions have been halted.
“USCIS has halted all asylum decisions until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible,” Edlow said on X.
In return, United Nations agencies urged the U.S. to continue allowing asylum seekers access to the country, including due process rights, in keeping with international law.
“We expect all countries, including the United States, to honour their commitments under the 1953 Refugee Convention,” said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson for the U.N. secretary general.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has halted all asylum decisions, the agency’s director, Joseph Edlow, said on Friday.
“USCIS has halted all asylum decisions until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible,” Edlow said on X.
