Doha: US President Donald Trump has said his administration intends to maintain a pause on asylum decisions for a "long time", following last week's shooting that targeted two National Guard members near the White House: US President Donald Trump has declared that the ongoing pause on asylum decisions will be extended indefinitely. This decision comes in the wake of a recent shooting incident near the White House, which tragically resulted in the death of a National Guard member and severe injuries to another.
According to Qatar News Agency, Trump has not specified a timeline for lifting the pause, which the Department of Homeland Security has associated with intensified security reviews for applicants from 19 countries that are already facing US travel restrictions. The President expressed concerns about allowing individuals from these nations into the United States, citing security issues.
"We don't want those people. We have enough problems," Trump remarked to reporters aboard Air Force One, emphasizing his stance against admitting individuals he described as problematic. The suspension of all asylum decisions followed the November 26 shooting incident and has been justified as a necessary measure for security enhancement.
Further, President Trump indicated a broader intent to permanently stop immigration from countries he referred to as "Third World" to ensure the U.S. system has adequate time to recover. In alignment with this stance, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the halt on asylum decisions would remain in effect until all applicants undergo the most rigorous level of security screening possible.