The U.S. government has ceased all processing of immigration applications for Afghan nationals, including those who have worked alongside the U.S. military. The policy change, which took effect on November 28, 2025, also includes a review of all asylum cases for Afghans that were approved during the Biden administration. This move, prompted by a recent security incident in Washington, D.C., has sent a shockwave through the Afghan-American community and among veterans who have advocated for their Afghan allies. The suspension of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, in particular, leaves thousands of Afghans who risked their lives to support the U.S. mission in a precarious and uncertain situation. This is a critical development in immigration news 2025, with life-or-death consequences for many.
U.S. Halts All Immigration Processing for Afghan Nationals, Reviews Past Approvals
The U.S. has suspended all immigration processing for Afghan nationals, including the SIV program, and is reviewing past asylum approvals, leaving many Afghan allies in limbo.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: All Afghan immigration applications, including SIV and asylum, are on hold indefinitely.
- Who Should Be Concerned: Afghan nationals with pending immigration applications, their families, and U.S. veterans who have worked with them.
- Timeline for Action: The halt is effective immediately. The review of past approvals is also underway.
- Next Steps: If you are an Afghan national with a pending application, it is essential to contact your attorney to understand the implications of this freeze. Veterans and advocacy groups are likely to increase pressure on the administration to reverse this policy, so it is important to stay engaged with these efforts.
Source: Reuters.com