Overview
- USCIS ordered an immediate pause on immigration applications from 19 already restricted countries and directed a rigorous re-review of affected cases, including potential interviews and re-interviews.
- Administration officials and multiple reports say the White House is preparing to expand the travel-ban list to roughly 30 countries, with additions expected to be announced soon.
- The State Department has paused visa issuance for Afghan passport holders, and immigration processing for Afghan nationals has been halted pending security reviews.
- President Trump reposted Noem’s call and vowed to permanently pause migration from what he called Third World countries, signaling support for broader restrictions.
- Federal authorities identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who worked with U.S. partner forces and later received asylum; advocacy groups warn the new measures risk legal and humanitarian harms.