The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has ordered a halt to visa processing for Afghan nationals following allegations of an Afghan citizen’s involvement in a shooting targeting members of the U.S. National Guard. Advocacy groups have described the move as a long-term effort to restrict Afghan entry into the United States.
USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) has already suspended processing of immigration applications for Afghan nationals, and the State Department has instructed U.S. diplomats worldwide to refuse all immigrant and non-immigrant visa applications from Afghan citizens, including applicants for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs).
The ban comes after an incident on Wednesday in Washington, D.C., where a former member of a CIA-supported Afghan unit allegedly opened fire on two National Guard soldiers, resulting in the death of one soldier.
A cable sent to U.S. diplomatic missions globally emphasized that all Afghan passport holders will have their visas halted until further notice. According to the State Department, cited Secretary Marco Rubio, the measure is intended to ensure proper identity verification and compliance with U.S. immigration law.
This decision effectively suspends the special immigration program for Afghans who assisted the United States during its 20-year military presence in Afghanistan, drawing criticism from advocacy organizations that warn it could jeopardize protections for those who supported U.S. efforts abroad.
