Trump Halts Afghan Immigration, Orders Sweeping Review After White House-Area Shooting

WASHINGTON – The U.S. has indefinitely suspended processing all immigration requests for Afghan nationals and will launch a comprehensive review of all Afghan refugees admitted since 2021, following a shooting near the White House that critically wounded two National Guard soldiers, an attack President Donald Trump labeled “an act of terror.”

The dramatic policy shift, announced late Wednesday by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), marks a swift and severe escalation of the political battle over immigration and national security, directly linking a violent incident to the Biden administration’s historic refugee resettlement program.

A Swift Policy Response to an “Act of Terror”

The chain of events began Tuesday afternoon when a gunman opened fire near the Farragut West Metro station, a key transit point just blocks from the White House. Two members of the D.C. National Guard, who were on duty in the area, were shot and critically wounded before police returned fire, subduing the suspect.

In a video statement from the White House, President Trump directly connected the attack to the suspect’s origin. “The individual responsible for this horror came to our country from Afghanistan in 2021,” Trump said. “We will not tolerate acts of terror against our citizens or those who guard our capital.”

He immediately called for his administration to “re-examine the cases of every single Afghan immigrant who entered the United States under the previous administration,” adding his signature refrain on immigration: “If they cannot love our country, we do not want them here.”

Hours later, USCIS made the directive official. “The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission,” the agency stated in a post on the social media platform X, announcing the halt to all Afghan immigration request processing.

The Suspect and the Scrutinized Program

Federal authorities have identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan citizen. According to multiple U.S. outlets, including the Washington Post and CNN, Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 under “Operation Allies Welcome,” the massive evacuation effort that airlifted tens of thousands of Afghans following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul.

Officials report that Lakanwal remained in the country unlawfully after his temporary visa expired, a detail that has intensified Republican criticism of the program’s oversight. The FBI has taken the lead in the investigation, which is examining the shooting as a potential act of terrorism. Lakanwal is currently hospitalized under guard, and investigators are piecing together his background, motives, and any potential links to extremist networks.

Deepening Political Divisions

The incident has poured fuel on the long-smoldering political debate over border security and vetting procedures. Republican lawmakers were quick to condemn the Biden-era resettlement program as dangerously porous.

“This was a preventable tragedy,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.). “The Biden administration’s reckless withdrawal from Afghanistan and its failure to properly vet those brought to our soil has put American lives at risk.”

In contrast, refugee advocacy and human rights groups have urged against a blanket condemnation of an entire refugee population.

“To use the criminal actions of one individual to tar an entire community of people who fled the Taliban and aided American troops is a profound injustice,” said Margaret Huang, CEO of the National Immigration Forum. “These individuals underwent extensive vetting to get here. We must not allow fear to override our nation’s values and commitments.”

What Happens Next?

The suspension of immigration processing creates immediate uncertainty for thousands of Afghans awaiting decisions on visa applications, asylum claims, and family reunification petitions. The scope and timeline of the administration’s promised review of the approximately 80,000 Afghans already resettled remain unclear, but it is expected to face legal challenges.

The White House press secretary indicated that any further policy responses would be guided by the findings of the ongoing FBI investigation. As the 2024 election season intensifies, the shooting and its aftermath have cemented immigration and national security as central themes, ensuring that the fate of Afghan refugees in America will remain a deeply contentious and politically charged issue.

  Donate Here