Afghanistan Evacuees

USCIS initially halted Afghan immigration processing after a D.C. National Guard shooting linked to a man who entered under Operation Allies Welcome, calling the pause "indefinite" while it reviews vetting and security protocols. The agency has since expanded the freeze to all USCIS asylum decisions, ordered reexaminations of green cards from 19 "countries of concern," instituted decision-entry holds and canceled some appointments, and said the pause will remain "until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible," while DHS reviews asylum approvals from the prior administration.