UPDATE: President Donald Trump has just announced an indefinite pause on asylum decisions following the tragic shooting that claimed the life of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom. This urgent decision was made in the wake of the November 26, 2025, incident near the White House, where an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly shot two guardsmen, fatally injuring the 20-year-old Beckstrom.
During a press conference on Sunday, Trump emphasized that there would be “no time limit” on the asylum suspension, linking it to a list of 19 countries already facing travel bans by the U.S. “We don’t want those people,” Trump declared, referring to potential asylum seekers, stating, “Because many have been no good, and they shouldn’t be in our country.”
The shooting has raised significant concerns about vetting processes for asylum seekers. Lakanwal, a 29-year-old who previously served with a CIA-supported unit in Afghanistan, was granted asylum in April 2025 during Trump’s administration. However, Trump has shifted blame to President Biden, criticizing his administration for “lax vetting” that allowed Lakanwal into the U.S. during the Afghan airlift.
In an effort to honor Beckstrom, Trump invited her grieving family to 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,” he told reporters. He also extended an invitation to critically injured staff sergeant Andrew Wolfe, offering him a chance to recover at the executive mansion.
Vigils are currently being held across West Virginia, Beckstrom’s home state, as the community mourns her loss and prays for Wolfe’s recovery. The devastating shooting has reignited fierce debates surrounding the Biden-era Afghan resettlement process and the future of U.S. asylum policies under Trump’s leadership.
Following this tragic event, Trump has vowed to “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover.” The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that this policy would include countries such as Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, and Myanmar, which have faced recent U.S. travel restrictions.
As the situation develops, it is crucial to monitor further announcements from Trump and the Department of Homeland Security regarding the implications of this asylum pause. The emotional impact of this tragic incident continues to resonate, highlighting the urgent need for a reassessment of U.S. immigration policies in the wake of violence.
