South Dakota Governor Noem Faces Sharp Fact-Check Over Deported Veterans Claim

In a tense congressional hearing Tuesday, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem faced direct questioning about her previous statements regarding the approval of asylum for an individual involved in a National Guard shooting incident two weeks ago.

Representative Bennie Thompson confronted Noem about her repeated claims blaming the Biden administration exclusively for the incident, suggesting her testimony contradicted documented evidence.

“I don’t want to file perjury charges against you, but I’m of the opinion that the Trump administration—DHS, your DHS—approved the asylum application,” Thompson stated firmly during the exchange.

The hearing quickly grew contentious as Noem attempted to speak over Thompson when pressed specifically about which administration had granted asylum to the individual in question. Thompson maintained his line of questioning, insisting on a direct answer regarding the approval authority.

The individual at the center of the controversy, identified as Lakanwal, entered the United States in 2021. According to congressional records, Lakanwal had served as a partner to American intelligence services in Afghanistan for more than a decade, collaborating specifically with the CIA before the U.S. military withdrawal from the region.

Despite Noem’s public statements attributing responsibility solely to the Biden administration, documentation indicates that the Department of Homeland Security under the previous administration had approved Lakanwal’s asylum application. This discrepancy has become a focal point as lawmakers seek clarity on the vetting process and accountability for the recent shooting.

For the past two weeks, Governor Noem has consistently deflected attempts to acknowledge her agency’s role in Lakanwal’s asylum approval. Instead, she has argued that the Biden administration’s vetting process, which began after Lakanwal’s 2021 entry, had effectively removed her authority regarding his residency status in the country.

Immigration policy experts note that this case highlights the often complex, multi-administration nature of asylum proceedings. Applications initiated under one administration frequently continue through or conclude during subsequent administrations, making singular attribution of responsibility problematic.

“Asylum cases often span years and multiple administrations,” explained Dr. Maria Hernandez, Director of Immigration Policy Studies at Georgetown University. “The processing, vetting, and final determinations involve numerous agencies and decision points. Attempting to place responsibility entirely on one administration often oversimplifies a complex procedural reality.”

According to CNN reporting, Lakanwal’s family has stated that he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from his wartime experiences. His service record had initially made him a strong candidate for asylum under programs designed to protect foreign nationals who assisted U.S. military and intelligence operations abroad.

The shooting incident has reignited debate over the effectiveness of vetting procedures for asylum seekers with military or intelligence backgrounds, particularly those who may have experienced trauma during their service.

National security analysts suggest that while background checks for such individuals are typically comprehensive, detecting mental health deterioration that might lead to violence remains challenging. The incident has prompted calls from both sides of the aisle for review of post-admission monitoring procedures for asylum recipients with combat exposure.

As the investigation continues, Thompson’s confrontation with Noem underscores the politically charged nature of immigration policy discussions and the tendency for officials to shift responsibility when incidents occur. The committee has indicated it will continue to pursue factual clarity regarding the chronology of Lakanwal’s admission and subsequent oversight.

The hearing is scheduled to reconvene next week with testimony from additional Department of Homeland Security officials who served during both administrations.