State Department 'immediately' halts all Afghan passport visas following deadly National Guard attack

A West Virginia floral shop has seen an increase in demand for floral arrangements following the death of Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, who passed away on Thursday. The shop has received numerous inquiries specifically for blue ribbons, a symbol of mourning and remembrance.

A shooting incident in Washington D.C. on November 26, 2025, critically injured two members of the National Guard, prompting the Trump administration to impose tighter immigration restrictions, including a halt on immigration from Afghanistan. The suspected shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national, raising concerns about the implications for Afghan refugees and immigration policy.

Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically injured in a targeted shooting incident near the White House in Washington, D.C., on November 26, 2025. The attack occurred close to the Farragut West metro station, and the suspect, identified as an Afghan national, has been apprehended. Governor Patrick Morrisey has expressed concern over the implications of this violence for West Virginia and its National Guard members.

The U.S. State Department has issued a warning to the United Kingdom regarding its handling of the grooming gang crisis, which has reportedly affected thousands of individuals. This situation has drawn attention to the broader issue of sexual abuse and exploitation in the UK, with the State Department also highlighting similar concerns in Germany and France regarding rape crimes.

The State Department has not conducted a public press briefing in over three months, raising concerns as rivals in Washington ramp up their communication strategies to influence public opinion and challenge U.S. leadership on the global stage.

An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been charged with first-degree murder following a shooting incident that critically injured two members of the West Virginia National Guard near the White House. Lakanwal entered the U.S. under the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome program, which aimed to facilitate the resettlement of Afghan allies after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The Trump administration has announced a pause on all asylum decisions following a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., that left two National Guard members critically injured. This decision includes a suspension of visa issuance for Afghan passport holders, as stated by Marco Rubio. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has indicated that new vetting procedures will be implemented for immigrants.