The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that it will resume processing some asylum applications after previously halting all claims following a shooting involving an asylum seeker.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it has lifted the hold on applications for thoroughly screened asylum seekers from “non-high-risk” countries, while emphasizing that strict vetting and screening procedures will continue. (Reuters)

However, the agency did not specify which countries fall under the “non-high-risk” category.

The suspension of asylum processing was introduced in November as part of a broader immigration crackdown after the administration blamed earlier vetting failures for allowing entry to an Afghan immigrant accused in the shooting, in which one National Guard member later died. (Reuters)

The halt was one of several strict immigration measures implemented by the Trump administration, including travel bans on multiple countries, which were further expanded after the incident.

Despite the partial resumption, the U.S. government has signaled that tough immigration controls and enhanced security checks will remain in place.