The Trump administration is pausing all immigration applications from countries considered high-risk in the wake of a shooting of two National Guard members.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is immediately halting immigration and naturalization processes for foreign nationals from 19 countries previously identified by the White House to be high-risk according to a memo released by the agency late Tuesday. The new guidance not only pumps the brakes on green card and U.S. citizenship applications for migrants from these countries but also calls for a review of applications previously approved under the Biden administration.

“Recently, the United States has seen what a lack of screening, vetting, and prioritizing expedient adjudications can do to the American people. In light of identified concerns and the threat to the American people, USCIS has determined that a comprehensive re-review, potential interview, and re-interview of all aliens from high-risk countries of concern who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021 is necessary.”

The memo cited the arrest of Rahmanullah Lakanwal an Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard troops in Washington D.C. shortly before Thanksgiving. It also mentioned the 2024 arrest of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi another Afghan national who is accused of plotting an Election Day terrorist attack. Both men were admitted into the U.S. amid the Biden administration’s chaotic military withdrawal from the country.

The high-risk countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Republic of Congo, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Togo, Sierra Leone, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.

In addition to halting immigration processes for the blacklisted countries USCIS is also dramatically restricting asylum applications for all foreigners.

“To address vulnerabilities during this process, and in order to conduct a comprehensive review of all policies, procedures, and guidance, USCIS has determined that it must implement an adjudicative hold on all pending asylum applications, regardless of the alien’s country of nationality.”

This pause will remain in effect at the discretion of USCIS Director Joe Edlow according to the memo.

The moves are just the latest in the Trump administration’s intensified immigration crackdown since the November attack in Washington D.C. which took the life of West Virginia Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and left Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe in critical condition.

Just hours after the deadly shooting USCIS which manages the country’s legal immigration system stopped the processing of all immigration requests pertaining to Afghan nationals indefinitely. Edlow subsequently stated that he’d been directed by President Donald Trump to initiate a full scale re-examination of every single green card for foreign nationals hailing from countries of concern.

President Donald Trump himself has vowed to implement even tougher measures announcing that his administration would permanently pause immigration from Third World countries.

“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries [sic] to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden’s Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country.”

The review of applications approved under Biden represents a massive undertaking. Potentially hundreds of thousands of cases will need re-examination to ensure proper vetting occurred.

The memo’s reference to expedient adjudications under Biden suggests the previous administration prioritized speed over security. This resulted in dangerous individuals like Lakanwal being admitted without adequate screening.

Both Afghan nationals cited in the memo were admitted during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal. This withdrawal which Trump opposed repeatedly has now directly led to American deaths on U.S. soil.

The pause on all asylum applications regardless of nationality shows the administration believes the entire system needs overhaul. Even countries not on the high-risk list will see their asylum cases frozen.

Director Edlow having discretion over when the pause ends means it could last months or even years. There is no deadline forcing USCIS to resume processing.

Trump’s reference to Biden’s Autopen suggests applications were approved without proper presidential review. The former president allegedly used an automatic signature device to rubber-stamp immigration documents.

The requirement that immigrants be a net asset to America or capable of loving the country sets a high bar. Many current immigrants would fail this standard.

Specialist Sarah Beckstrom’s death has become a rallying point for stricter immigration enforcement. Her sacrifice defending the capital from crime led directly to these sweeping policy changes.

Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition fighting for his life. His survival or death could influence how long these restrictions remain in place.