Uzbekistan Warns Citizens as U.S. Steps up Immigration Checks after Deadly D.C. Shooting

Uzbekistan has urged its citizens living in the United States to carry proof of their legal immigration status at all times, citing a recent increase in immigration inspections by U.S. authorities on federal highways nationwide.

In a statement on Thursday, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that individuals detained in these operations included people flagged for possessing multiple driver’s licenses or suspected of links to terrorism.

The warning followed a violent incident near the White House a day earlier, in which two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot. President Donald Trump called the attack an act of terrorism, announcing late Thursday that one of the guardsmen had died while the other remained in critical condition.

U.S. officials identified the suspected shooter as an Afghan national who had driven across the country—from Washington State to Washington, D.C.—to carry out the assault. The suspect has been arrested.

The Uzbek ministry said U.S. immigration authorities are conducting checks on driver’s licenses, English-language proficiency, work authorization papers, and other documents. It added that American officials possess broad enforcement powers on federal highways.