In a swift response to a tragic shooting in Washington, D.C., the United States government has put an immediate and indefinite stop to all immigration processing for Afghan nationals. This decision came on the heels of an attack carried out on Wednesday by a 29-year-old Afghan native, which left two National Guard soldiers in a dire state.
The incident occurred when Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the alleged assailant, targeted the soldiers with a high-caliber handgun. The victims, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, were critically injured and underwent emergency surgery after sustaining headshot wounds.
Late Wednesday night, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the cessation of all Afghan visa processes. The agency acknowledged that thousands of applicants were awaiting entry into the United States, either for their assistance to coalition forces during the war or due to fear of Taliban retribution.
The FBI has taken charge of the investigation, treating the event as a potential act of terrorism. Federal officials have not dismissed the possibility of political or ideological motives behind the shooting.
The incident has prompted President Donald Trump to order a comprehensive review of all Afghan nationals who have entered the U.S. since the 2021 withdrawal, which was overseen by the Biden administration. This directive was reported by Trending Politics.
Federal sources have confirmed that Lakanwal entered the United States through Operation Allies Welcome, a program initiated by President Biden to aid Afghan allies following the U.S. withdrawal. This program has faced criticism for its allegedly inadequate vetting procedures. Concerns have been raised about the reliability of Afghan records, which were often incomplete or lost amidst the government's collapse.
Despite these challenges, Biden administration officials permitted entry to tens of thousands with limited background checks. Shawn VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac, defended the process, claiming that around 200,000 Afghans have been safely resettled in the U.S. since 2021 through various refugee and special visa programs.
Lakanwal, now in custody, had been residing in the U.S. on a temporary visa granted during the 2021 evacuation. CIA Director John Ratcliffe revealed to Fox News that Lakanwal had previously collaborated with U.S. government entities, including the CIA, in Kandahar. However, Ratcliffe criticized the decision to admit him into the country and pointed to it as an example of the ongoing repercussions of what he termed Biden's "failed policies."
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, named the victims during a news conference on Thursday. While Wolfe's condition remains critical, Beckstrom tragically passed away from her injuries.
President Trump addressed the nation, condemning the attack and expressing deep condolences to the families of Beckstrom and Wolfe. He called for unity as the nation grapples with grief and seeks answers to the full motives behind the attack.
