In a shocking turn of events, the Department of State has slammed the brakes on all visa issuance for Afghan passport holders following a tragic attack on National Guard members near the White House.
This drastic measure comes after a deadly ambush in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, which claimed the life of a brave service member and left another critically injured, prompting swift action from federal authorities, Fox News reported.
The attack unfolded on Wednesday, when 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly targeted National Guard personnel in a calculated assault.
The violence resulted in the heartbreaking death of West Virginia National Guard Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom who succumbed to her injuries the following day, Thursday, November 27, 2025, at a hospital.
Also wounded in the ambush was U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, age 24, who remains in critical condition, is a stark reminder of the risks our military personnel face even on home soil.
Lakanwal, charged with first-degree murder among other counts, had previously been vetted by the CIA in Afghanistan and received asylum approval earlier in 2025 under President Donald Trump’s administration.
In response, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the immediate halt of visa processing for Afghan nationals, signaling a firm stance on national security.
As Rubio posted on X, “President Trump’s State Department has paused visa issuance for ALL individuals traveling on Afghan passports. The United States has no higher priority than protecting our nation and our people.” While some may cry overreach, it’s hard to argue against prioritizing American safety when the stakes are this high.
On the same day as Beckstrom’s passing, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph B. Edlow declared a comprehensive review of green cards issued to immigrants from 19 countries labeled as “high-risk,” including Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen, among others.
This reexamination, directed by President Trump, aims to tighten scrutiny on entries from nations like Somalia, Sudan, and Haiti, reflecting a broader push to reassess immigration policies in light of recent violence.
Not everyone is on board with these sweeping changes, as AfghanEvac, a nonprofit aiding Afghan allies’ resettlement, condemned the visa pause on Friday, November 28, 2025, calling it a breach of federal law.
Their president, Shawn VanDiver, argued in a statement, “It appears Secretary Rubio is attempting to shut down the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program in direct violation of federal law and standing court orders.” While their frustration is understandable, one must question if their focus on legalities overlooks the immediate need to prevent further tragedies.
President Trump, speaking to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, didn’t mince words about the challenges of asylum policies, stating, “When it comes to asylum, when they're flown in, it's very hard to get them out. No matter how you want to do it, it's very hard to get them out. But we're going to be getting them all out now.”
While his bluntness may ruffle feathers in progressive circles, it underscores a reality many Americans feel: immigration systems must prioritize the safety of citizens over unchecked access, no matter how tough the decisions.
The fallout from this incident raises critical questions about vetting processes and national security, but it also demands a balance—ensuring that one individual’s actions don’t unjustly penalize an entire community, while still protecting the homeland from potential threats.
