UPDATE: Former President Donald Trump has just announced a permanent halt on asylum decisions following a tragic shooting incident near the White House that resulted in the death of 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom. The announcement came on November 26, 2023, after an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly opened fire, injuring two guardsmen and fatally wounding Beckstrom.
During a press briefing, Trump stated there would be “no time limit” on the suspension of asylum cases, connecting this drastic measure to a list of 19 nations already facing US travel bans. “We don’t want those people,” Trump declared emphatically. “Many have been no good, and they shouldn’t be in our country. We’re going to get them out of here!”
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that this policy change follows the devastating incident in Washington, DC, where Beckstrom died while another guardsman remains in critical condition. Lakanwal, aged 29, faces first-degree murder charges. He had previously served with a CIA-supported unit against the Taliban before arriving in the US after the 2021 military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Trump criticized President Joe Biden for what he termed “lax vetting” processes that allowed Lakanwal to obtain asylum in April 2025 during the chaotic Afghan airlift. In light of the recent shooting, Trump vowed to “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries” to allow the US immigration system to recover fully. This policy will impact nations including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, and Myanmar.
In a show of support, Trump extended an invitation to Beckstrom’s grieving family to visit the White House. “I said: ‘When you’re ready, because that’s a tough thing, come to the White House. We’re going to honor Sarah,’” Trump shared with reporters. He also offered Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who is critically injured, a chance to recover at the executive mansion.
Vigils are being held across West Virginia to honor Beckstrom and pray for Wolfe’s recovery. The tragic incident has reignited intense discussions surrounding the Biden administration’s Afghan resettlement efforts and the future of US asylum policies under a potentially more hardline Trump administration.
As the situation develops, the political ramifications of Trump’s announcement are being watched closely. The Department of Homeland Security is expected to release further details on the policy changes in the coming days, and the nation is bracing for potential fallout from this urgent decision.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.
