The U.S. government has suspended all visa processing for Afghan nationals worldwide, following a deadly shooting in Washington, D.C., involving a former member of a CIA-backed Afghan commando unit. The decision halts both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, including the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program designed for Afghans who assisted U.S. forces during the 20-year war.
A State Department cable obtained by Reuters confirmed that U.S. consular officers have been instructed to deny all visa applications filed by Afghan passport holders, effective immediately. This directive marks one of the most sweeping immigration actions targeting Afghans since the United States withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021.
Triggering Incident: Shooting in Washington, D.C.
The policy shift came just days after an Afghan national — formerly part of a CIA-sponsored paramilitary unit — was accused of shooting two U.S. National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C. One soldier later died from his injuries.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on X that visa issuance for “ALL individuals” traveling on Afghan passports is now paused, a direct response to growing security concerns.
Visa Operations Shut Down Across the Board
The cable states that:
- All Afghan visa applications must be denied, regardless of category
- Approved but unprinted visas must be canceled
- Printed visas must be destroyed
- Appointments will occur, but applicants will still be refused
The move also follows a separate decision earlier this week by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to suspend Afghan immigration case processing indefinitely.
Advocacy Groups Condemn the Pause
Shawn VanDiver, president of the volunteer group AfghanEvac, criticized the directive as an attempt to bar Afghans from reaching the United States altogether.
“There is no doubt this is the outcome they have been driving toward for months,” VanDiver said.
The White House has not provided additional comment on the decision.
Thousands of Afghans Now in Limbo
Since 2021, roughly 200,000 Afghans have entered the United States through refugee or special visa pathways. Yet more than 265,000 Afghans remain in the immigration pipeline, including about 180,000 SIV applicants who supported U.S. military and diplomatic missions.
The abrupt halt leaves these individuals — many facing danger under Taliban rule — without a clear path forward.
Administration Doubles Down on Immigration Enforcement
Since returning to office, President Trump has intensified immigration crackdowns, from deploying federal agents to major cities to restricting asylum at the southern border. The latest visa freeze signals a renewed focus on limiting legal immigration, not just unauthorized entry.
As the fallout from the D.C. shooting continues, Afghan families, advocates, and former U.S. partners face renewed uncertainty over their future.
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