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Trump Administration Halts Asylum Decisions After D.C. Shooting

12/2/2025

Center

Trump Pauses Asylum

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has paused all asylum decisions following a shooting in Washington, D.C.
The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national granted asylum earlier this year, is cited in concerns.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officers have been instructed to halt asylum approvals and denials for all nationalities.
The administration will review asylum approvals issued under the Biden administration to assess vetting for certain countries.

Right

Trump Targets Asylum

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a pause on asylum from 19 countries deemed 'of concern,' including Afghanistan, Iran, and Venezuela.
Speaking on Air Force One, he said the United States is better off without these refugees.
He criticized Somalia for lacking governance.
He urged deporting Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) if immigration-fraud claims are true.
He plans to investigate and remove non-citizens not beneficial to the United States and end federal benefits for noncitizens.

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Trump Pauses Asylum

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has paused all asylum decisions following a shooting in Washington, D.C.
The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national granted asylum earlier this year, is cited in concerns.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officers have been instructed to halt asylum approvals and denials for all nationalities.
The administration will review asylum approvals issued under the Biden administration to assess vetting for certain countries.

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