The United States on Thursday announced an indefinite halt to all immigration requests involving Afghan nationals after a shooting incident near the White House left two National Guard members critically injured. The suspect, identified as an Afghan national who arrived in the US in 2021, has triggered renewed scrutiny of Washington’s vetting and resettlement procedures.
In a statement posted on X, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said:
“Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.”
The agency added that the safety of the homeland and American citizens remains its “singular mission.”
Suspect Identified as 29-Year-Old Afghan Resettled Under US Program
Law enforcement sources told CBS News that the shooter is 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States through Operation Allies Welcome the Biden administration’s evacuation and resettlement program for Afghans following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Authorities are still verifying his background and have yet to determine a definitive motive for the attack.
The shooting occurred Wednesday afternoon just blocks from the White House, where two West Virginia National Guard members were attacked and left in critical condition. Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser described the incident as a “targeted act of violence,” while FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the guardsmen remain hospitalised.
Operation Allies Welcome Under Renewed Scrutiny
The resettlement initiative, launched in 2021, brought tens of thousands of Afghans to the US many of whom had worked alongside American forces. But the program has faced criticism over the pace of admissions and alleged gaps in vetting, particularly from Republican leaders and government watchdogs.
Advocates argue the program provided essential protection to Afghans at risk of Taliban reprisals. Critics, however, say the incident underscores longstanding concerns about screening and security checks.
Lakanwal had reportedly been living in Washington state. Two law enforcement officials told the Associated Press that investigators are still working to confirm details of his background. All spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly.
Trump Calls for Full Reinvestigation of Afghan Refugees
Former President Donald Trump condemned the shooting, calling it “an act of terror” and alleging the suspect should never have been allowed into the country.
Trump demanded a reinvestigation of all Afghan refugees admitted under the Biden administration.
In a video message released Wednesday night, Trump said:
“If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them here.” He added that the shooting was “a crime against our entire nation.”
