The Trump administration announced a pause on asylum decisions and suspended visa issuance for holders of Afghan passports following a shooting in Washington, D.C. USCIS director Joseph Edlow said asylum adjudications would be paused "until we can ensure" enhanced vetting. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported Afghan passport visa issuance was paused. Universities that enroll or employ Afghan nationals and other applicants from affected countries face immediate uncertainty: new admits may see visa delays, sponsored researchers could be blocked from travel, and campuses may confront heightened security questions. International student offices and legal counsel must plan for protracted vetting and potential enrollment shortfalls.