Trump orders review of Biden-era asylum and refugee cases after D.C. shooting

US President Donald Trump has ordered a comprehensive review of Green Cards and asylum cases approved under former President Joe Biden’s administration.

The directive comes amid heightened scrutiny following a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., involving a 29-year-old Afghan national.

The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, reportedly entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a resettlement programme initiated under Biden for Afghan refugees.

According to law enforcement, Lakanwal has been charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a violent crime.

The shooting, which occurred on Wednesday, 26 November, left two National Guard members in critical condition.

In response, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an immediate and indefinite halt to all Afghan-related immigration processing.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Tricia Mclaughlin, confirmed the move, citing a broader review of “security and vetting protocols”

“Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review,” Mclaughlin stated.

USCIS Director Joseph B Edlow said that, under President Trump’s directive, the agency would conduct a “full-scale, rigorous re-examination” of every Green Card issued to citizens from 19 countries deemed as “of concern.

“The protection of this country and of the American people remains paramount, and the American people will not bear the cost of the prior administration's reckless resettlement policies,” Edlow stated.

A memo issued by USCIS on 21 November and signed by Edlow detailed plans for a complete re-interview and review of all refugees admitted from 20 January, 2021, to 20 February, 2025.

The memo also stated that refugee status could be revoked for individuals already residing in the US if they were later found not to meet eligibility criteria.

It criticised the Biden-era refugee admissions process, claiming it prioritised speed and volume over thorough screening and vetting

“Given these concerns, USCIS has determined that a comprehensive review and a re-interview of all refugees admitted from January 20, 2021, to February 20, 2025, is warranted,” the memo read.

FBI Director Kash Patel and Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, reiterated similar concerns during a press conference held on Thursday, 27 November.

They accused the Biden administration of failing to properly vet Lakanwal before allowing him entry to the United States

“The prior administration made the decision to allow thousands of people into this country without doing a single piece of background checking or vetting,” Patel claimed.

However, neither Patel nor Pirro presented evidence supporting the allegations of inadequate vetting.

According to the USCIS memo, approximately 233,000 refugees who entered the United States during the referenced period are subject to review.

The DHS has not released further information on how long the Afghan immigration suspension will last or which other countries are considered “of concern.”

The move is expected to spark legal and political debates over refugee rights, retroactive policy enforcement, and the scope of executive authority over immigration matters.