WASHINGTON: The White House announced Monday that the United States has launched an extensive reassessment of every person who entered the country from Afghanistan in recent years, part of what officials describe as strengthened national-security screening.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump ordered a “comprehensive review” of all Afghan migrants, refugees, and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders currently living in the US. The goal, she stated, is to confirm that none of the individuals pose a security risk.
“We are re-evaluating every Afghan arrival,” Leavitt said. “Anyone found to jeopardize national security will be removed. The president has made it clear that protecting Americans comes first.”
She also confirmed that the administration has temporarily halted decisions on Afghan asylum cases and paused processing of SIV applications—programmes long used to resettle Afghans who worked with US forces and diplomats during the 20-year conflict.
Leavitt did not specify how long the review will last but said it is part of broader efforts to strengthen immigration vetting and address what the administration considers “gaps” in earlier screening procedures.
During the briefing, she also addressed questions about President Trump’s health following reports of recent medical tests. She said the president underwent an MRI “strictly as a precaution,” and the results showed “a strong and healthy heart.”
“President Trump’s overall health remains excellent,” she added, noting that his medical team reported no concerning findings.
The announcement comes amid intensifying debate in Washington over immigration enforcement and refugee policy. Rights organizations warn that pausing Afghan asylum and visa processing could endanger applicants by exposing them to renewed persecution. Supporters of the administration, however, argue that deeper scrutiny is essential given regional instability and the challenges of verifying backgrounds in conflict zones.
The US admitted tens of thousands of Afghans following its 2021 withdrawal from Kabul, many through humanitarian parole and SIV programmes. Officials say the new review will cover all categories of entry. Additional details will be released once inter-agency discussions are finalized.
