Trump sharpens focus on legal immigration after National Guard shooting

By Ted Hesson, Julia Harte and Kristina Cooke

November 29, 20252:24 AM GMT+5Updated 21 hours ago

Members of the National Guard patrol the Smithsonian Metro Station after two National Guard members were shot on Wednesday, in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 28, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

• Summary

• Trump halts Afghan immigration, reviews asylum cases post-shooting
• Critics argue Trump unfairly targets Afghans, other immigrants
• Legal challenges likely for any sweeping immigration restrictions

WASHINGTON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is moving to clamp down on legal immigration into the U.S. after an Afghan immigrant was accused of ambushing National Guard members, a crackdown that echoes Trump's first-term restrictions and could face similar challenges.

Less than two days after authorities said Rahmanullah Lakanwal opened fire on guard members, killing one and critically wounding another, Trump halted processing of Afghan immigration applications, ordered a review of all people approved for asylum in the previous administration, and signaled he would expand vetting under a travel ban on people coming from 19 countries.

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