The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a suspension of immigration applications from 19 countries already subject to travel restrictions, a decision that follows a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., which resulted in the death of a National Guard member. The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021, had previously been granted asylum under the Trump administration.

The countries affected by this immigration halt include Afghanistan, Somalia, and several others, all characterized by varying degrees of travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. government. USCIS justified the new policy by citing concerns over screening and vetting processes, asserting that a comprehensive review of individuals from these high-risk countries is necessary.

Critics have condemned this move as an unjust scapegoating of entire nationalities for the actions of a single individual. Tanya Greene, the U.S. director of Human Rights Watch, stated that the policy is not based on safety but rather on stigmatizing individuals based on their country of origin. The National Immigrant Justice Center criticized the administration for exploiting the tragedy to advance anti-immigrant policies, arguing that such actions undermine the rights of individuals seeking asylum and protection under U.S. and international law.

Uzra Zeya, CEO of Human Rights First, called for moral leadership instead of punitive measures that could further fuel xenophobia and violence. The Council on American-Islamic Relations urged Congress to investigate the expansion of these discriminatory policies, asserting that the blanket suspension of asylum processing does not enhance safety and is fundamentally unjust.

In a related development, President Donald Trump made derogatory remarks about Somali immigrants during a cabinet meeting, labeling them as "garbage" and suggesting they contribute nothing to the U.S. His comments coincided with reports of a planned immigration enforcement operation targeting undocumented Somali immigrants in Minnesota. Approximately 260,000 individuals of Somali descent resided in the U.S. as of 2024, with a significant population in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Local leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, defended the Somali community, highlighting their contributions to the local economy and culture. In response to Trump's comments, Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar criticized his focus on her and the Somali community, describing it as an attempt to intimidate.

Community organizations, such as the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), expressed concern over increased immigration enforcement targeting Somali residents, characterizing it as politically motivated rather than a standard immigration policy. They emphasized the need for equitable treatment of all immigrants and condemned the use of inflammatory language that could incite fear and division. The Somali government has not directly responded to Trump's remarks, but local community members have expressed shock at the language used by the U.S. president, calling for a more respectful discourse.