BREAKING NEWS: President Donald Trump has just announced an indefinite pause on asylum decisions following a tragic shooting near the White House that resulted in the death of 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom. This announcement comes in the wake of a horrific incident on November 26, 2023, where an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly shot two guardsmen, fatally wounding Beckstrom and critically injuring another.
In a statement made today, Trump emphasized that there is “no time limit” on the asylum suspension. He linked this decision to a list of 19 nations already facing US travel bans, insisting, “We don’t want those people. You know why? Because many have been no good, and they shouldn’t be in our country.”
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that this policy, which falls in line with Trump’s ongoing commitment to tighten immigration controls, aims to address what he describes as “lax vetting” practices from the Biden administration. Lakanwal, who was granted asylum in April 2025, had previously served in a CIA-supported unit fighting the Taliban before relocating to the US after the 2021 military exit from Afghanistan.
Trump’s announcement follows a wave of mourning across the nation, particularly in West Virginia, where vigils have been held to honor Beckstrom and support staff sergeant Andrew Wolfe, the other guardsman injured in the attack. Trump revealed he has invited Beckstrom’s grieving family to the White House, stating, “When you’re ready, come to the White House. We’re going to honor Sarah.”
The fallout from this shooting has sparked a renewed debate over the Biden-era Afghan resettlement process and the future of US asylum policies. Critics and supporters alike are weighing in on the implications of Trump’s vow to “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the US system to fully recover.”
As this story develops, many are left questioning the impact of these policies on future asylum seekers and the ongoing discourse surrounding immigration in America. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are anticipated as officials respond to the public outcry and the evolving circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
Stay tuned for more urgent updates on this developing story.
