By Peter AitkenShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe State Department has paused all visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X.
"The United States has no higher priority than protecting our nation and our people," Rubio wrote, reposting an announcement from the State Department.
"The Department is taking all necessary steps to protect U.S. national security and public safety," the department wrote.
Newsweek reached out to the State Department by submission form outside of normal business hours on Friday evening for further comment.
Why It Matters
The decision follows the fatal shooting of West Virginia National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and the shooting of Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe by Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who came to the U.S. in 2021 under the Biden administration program Operation Allies Welcome.
Lakanwal in 2024 applied for asylum, which the Trump administration granted earlier this year. Trump in a Truth Social post on Thursday called Afghanistan a "hellhole on Earth."
...What To Know
President Donald Trump on Thursday night said he would "permanently pause" immigration from all Third World countries and "remove" anyone who is not a "net asset" to the United States, claiming that immigration had eroded technological progress and living conditions for many.
That process will include an end to federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens, marking an aggressive effort to counter what he views as violent elements within the United States.
Trump said he would also "denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.”
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday announced it would stop processing all immigration requests from Afghan nationals in response to the shooting, and the latest announcement expands that pause.
What People Are Saying
Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a post on X: "President Trump’s State Department has paused visa issuance for ALL individuals traveling on Afghan passports. The United States has no higher priority than protecting our nation and our people."
The State Department in a post on X: "The Department of State has IMMEDIATELY paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports. The Department is taking all necessary steps to protect U.S. national security and public safety."
President Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social earlier this week, in part: "A very Happy Thanksgiving salutation to all of our Great American Citizens and Patriots who have been so nice in allowing our Country to be divided, disrupted, carved up, murdered, beaten, mugged, and laughed at, along with certain other foolish countries throughout the World, for being “Politically Correct,” and just plain STUPID, when it comes to Immigration."
What Happens Next
The USCIS pause will allow the agency to review "security and vetting protocols," and it is not clear if the State Department pause is for the same purpose.
Update 11/28/25, 8:30 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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