US Begins Review of Afghan Arrivals Following 2021 Withdrawal

DID Press: US government launched a comprehensive review of Afghan nationals who entered the country after the August 2021 withdrawal, In response to a fatal shooting in Washington, D.C. The administration says that those deemed a security threat may face deportation.

A White House spokesperson said tens of thousands of Afghans were resettled in 2021 under expedited procedures and many did not undergo full vetting. The newly announced review aims to reassess their status. As a result, visa issuance for Afghan passport holders has been paused, and pending asylum or immigration benefits applications have been suspended.

Officials from immigration authorities, including the head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), have been ordered to re-examine all Green Cards granted to nationals from 19 countries categorized as “countries of concern.” This includes Afghan immigrants evacuated under former president Joe Biden’s administration.

The decision follows the shooting in Washington, in which an Afghan immigrant allegedly killed one member of the U.S. National Guard and seriously wounded another. The suspected shooter reportedly entered the U.S. in September 2021 under the plan to evacuate Afghan allies.

Critics — including refugee-rights advocates — warn that the sweeping policy could unfairly penalize large numbers of legally admitted Afghans, many of whom fled the Taliban takeover of their country. They describe the review as a rollback of resettlement commitments and a step toward mass deportations.

The administration, however, argues the measures are necessary to ensure national security and restore confidence in the U.S. immigration system.