Afghans Fear ‘Devolving Situation’ After Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Halts Visas and Pauses Petitions

Afghans Fear ‘Devolving Situation’ After Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

Afghans who resettled in the United States — and the Americans and aid groups who helped them — say they are reeling after President Trump announced sweeping immigration measures following a deadly attack on National Guardsmen. The orders affect migrants from all 19 countries on Mr. Trump’s travel-ban list and include a specific halt to visa processing for Afghanistan that has effectively suspended the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program.

Immediate Impact

The measures pause immigration petitions for Afghans already in the U.S., including asylum claims and applications to change status. The administration has also initiated a review of the roughly 200,000 refugees admitted under the Biden administration and has floated the rare step of revoking green cards — stoking broad fear among evacuees and their advocates.

"When this happened, we were flooded — very similar to the way we were flooded when Kabul collapsed — with people desperately asking, 'Is this true? What does it mean?'" said Joseph Azam, board chair of the Afghan-American Foundation. "Unfortunately, the response is, 'I don't know, because this is such a quickly devolving situation.'"

Why Evacuees Are Vulnerable

Thousands of evacuees arrived abruptly after the fall of Kabul and face steep barriers: language challenges, professional credentials that are not recognized in the U.S., and difficulty finding steady work. Many aid groups warn that paused petitions could cause some people to fall out of legal status. Green-card holders have expressed anxiety about calls to revoke permanent residency for certain groups.

The Alleged Shooter And Vetting

The actions follow the killing of 20-year-old National Guardsman Sarah Beckstrom, for which an Afghan evacuee, identified in reporting as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is the alleged assailant. People close to Lakanwal reportedly flagged mental health issues: withdrawal, isolation and trouble finding work. Reporting indicates Lakanwal served in a CIA-backed unit in Afghanistan known as "Zero Unit," and that he had been vetted and approved for asylum, including Chief of Mission approval from the State Department.

"He was hurting from the invisible wounds of the war that we asked him to fight on our behalf," said Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac. He emphasized that the shooting raises questions about mental health and trauma rather than a straightforward failure of vetting.

Calls For A Legislative Fix

Advocates and some lawmakers argue that an "Adjustment Act" — legislation used in past evacuations to create a pathway to permanent status and permit comprehensive, in-person vetting — could be a constructive response. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has urged such a bill, calling in-person interviews and biometrics the "gold standard" for vetting. Supporters say the bill would enable fuller screening while providing stability to evacuees. Critics, however, argue the administration's actions are necessary for national security.

Allegations Of Collective Punishment

Community leaders, resettlement workers and some members of Congress view the administration’s broad measures as collective punishment of people who aided U.S. efforts. "To treat an entire group of people in this way, people that helped the United States of America because of something one guy did — that's un-American," said Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). Advocates have compared the response to historical episodes of exclusion and internment, arguing the moves unfairly penalize allies and refugees.

Looking Ahead

As legal reviews and administrative pauses take effect, thousands of Afghans and the organizations that assisted their resettlement face uncertainty. Advocates urge congressional action to create orderly pathways and resources for thorough vetting, while critics press for continued restrictions. For now, many families remain anxious about their futures and fearful of sudden enforcement actions.

Note: This report synthesizes statements from community leaders, resettlement groups and lawmakers and reports about the alleged attacker. Details remain subject to official investigation and legal proceedings.