United States halts immigration applications from Afghans after armed attack in Washington.

Arab Sea Newspaper - Special

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on Wednesday evening the suspension of consideration of all immigration applications submitted by Afghan citizens indefinitely, against the backdrop of a shooting incident that resulted in the serious injury of two National Guard soldiers near the White House. The decision came after U.S. President Donald Trump described the attack as a "terrorist act," noting that the suspect entered the country from Afghanistan in 2021, during the administration of former President Joe Biden, calling for a review of the files of Afghan immigrants who were received during that period. The administration said, in a post on the "X" platform, that "protecting the safety and security of the homeland and the American people remains at the heart of our mission," in a move that reflects an increasing tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration, especially towards those arriving from conflict zones.