US Suspends Asylum Decisions Amid Heightened Security Measures and Foreign Policy Shifts

US Immigration Authority Halts Asylum Decisions

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has temporarily suspended all asylum decisions following an incident involving two National Guard members who were shot near the White House. The suspect, an individual who entered the US from Afghanistan in 2021 and had previous affiliations with American government agencies abroad, has been apprehended. In response, US authorities are intensifying scrutiny of foreign nationals and have announced comprehensive reviews and enhanced background checks for all applicants.

President Donald Trump has reinforced these measures by introducing more stringent migration policies. The administration has called for a suspension of entry for individuals from so-called 'third world countries' and is seeking thorough reviews of Green Card holders from regions considered high-risk.

Presidential Orders from Biden's Term to be Revoked

In a separate development, President Trump has stated his intention to repeal a significant portion of executive orders signed by his predecessor, Joe Biden. The current administration claims that procedural discrepancies, specifically the use of an automated signing device known as an Autopen, have rendered many of these documents invalid. While the use of such devices by US presidents is permitted, the Trump administration alleges improper application, though no concrete evidence has been provided to substantiate these claims. The Biden team has previously dismissed these accusations as unfounded.

Communication Between Trump and Venezuela's Maduro

Amid escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas, reports have emerged of a phone conversation between President Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. According to US media, the two leaders discussed the possibility of an in-person meeting. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also reportedly involved in the dialogue. The US government has recently dispatched several naval assets to the Caribbean, purportedly for anti-narcotics operations, resulting in over 80 fatalities. The US administration accuses Venezuela of harboring criminal organizations that pose a threat to American security, while Caracas maintains that the US is orchestrating efforts to destabilize the Venezuelan government.

Allegations Against US Military in Caribbean Operations

Investigative reports by American media outlets indicate that the US military may have breached international law during an operation targeting a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean. After initially attacking the boat, US forces reportedly engaged survivors who were clinging to wreckage, resulting in additional fatalities. The US Department of Defense has declined to comment on these allegations. Official figures state that eleven individuals lost their lives in the operation.

Proposed Pardon for Former Honduran President

President Trump has announced plans to pardon Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, who is currently serving a 45-year prison sentence in the United States for charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offenses. The Trump administration contends that Hernández was treated unfairly during his prosecution. Hernández, who led Honduras from 2014 to 2022, was extradited to the US shortly after leaving office and subsequently convicted in New York for facilitating large-scale cocaine smuggling operations from South America through Honduras to the United States.