US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it was suspending processing requests from Afghan citizens after US President Donald Trump said the suspect in the Washington attack arrived in the country from Afghanistan in 2021. This is stated in the USCIS message.
According to the message, all procedures related to the immigration requests of citizens of Afghanistan – from processing applications to checks as part of security protocols and additional inspection – “are immediately suspended indefinitely until further notice.”
The sole purpose and mission of USCIS is to ensure the safety and security of the American people, USCIS emphasized.
Previously, US President Donald Trump called the attack on two National Guard soldiers in Washington “an act of terrorism.”
He noted that the detained suspect is an immigrant who came to the United States from Afghanistan in September 2021.
The head of the White House also accused the Joe Biden administration of causing “serious harm” to the country with its immigration policies.
Attack in Washington
Washington police previously reported that at about 2:15 p.m. local time, an attack occurred in the White House area. shooting that left two Guardsmen wounded and a suspect in custody.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Cash Patel said at a press conference that the condition of both wounded remains critical. He noted that according to available information, the attack was carried out by one person who is already in custody.
Patel stressed that the incident will be investigated at the highest level, as it is a matter of national security. “President Trump is aware of the situation and is closely monitoring the process,” he said.
Washington Mayor Muriel Elizabeth Bowser, in turn, called the incident a “deliberate, targeted attack” and said the city would conduct a thorough investigation along with the FBI.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey in his first statement announced the deaths of two guardsmen. He later withdrew his statement, explaining that “there are conflicting information about the condition of the military.”
In his first message on social networks, Trump called the shooter an “animal,” confirming that both guardsmen were being treated in the hospital.
The US President also noted that the attacker was wounded and “will pay a heavy price.”
Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is visiting the Dominican Republic Republic, said that after the attack the number of National Guard in the capital would be increased. According to him, by order of the US President, an additional 500 military personnel will be deployed to Washington.