Afghanistan Remains on US High-Risk Countries List for Asylum Applications

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that Afghanistan remains on the list of high-risk countries for asylum and migration applications, subjecting its citizens to maximum security vetting with no changes to the process.

DHS stated that restrictions have been lifted or reduced for asylum applications from low-risk or non-high-risk countries, allowing a resumption of reviews to redirect resources toward higher-security cases. The agency warned of weaknesses in previous vetting processes that posed risks to public safety.

The decision follows a November 2025 incident in Washington where an Afghan asylee killed one National Guard soldier and wounded another. Afghanistan International identified the attacker as Rahmanullah Laknwal. Both outlets reported that the attack prompted the Trump administration to impose stricter policies on Afghan immigrants and asylees, including halting processing, re-reviewing files and restricting Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs).

Afghanistan International reported the high-risk list includes about 39 countries such as Yemen, Syria, Mali, Nigeria, Somalia and Sierra Leone. It also highlighted harsh impacts on Afghan migrants, including stopped green cards, increased detentions, deportations and uncertainty for former US collaborators awaiting SIVs. Amu TV noted the policy shift focuses resources amid ongoing restrictions for high-risk nations.