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The Trump administration has halted all asylum decisions and suspended visa issuance for travelers with Afghan passports following a shooting near the White House that left a National Guard member dead and another critically wounded.
The incident, which occurred Wednesday, has prompted swift policy changes as investigators continue to probe the motive behind the attack. The suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who reportedly worked with the CIA during the Afghanistan War, now faces charges including first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died from injuries sustained in the shooting, while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains hospitalized in critical condition. Both were deployed with the West Virginia National Guard as part of Trump’s crime-fighting initiative in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro indicated during a Fox News interview that additional charges against Lakanwal are forthcoming. President Trump has characterized the shooting as a “terrorist attack” and criticized the Biden administration’s policies regarding the entry of Afghans who collaborated with U.S. forces.
Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, announced on social media that asylum decisions would be paused “until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.” Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the State Department has suspended “visa issuance for ALL individuals traveling on Afghan passports.”
Immigration experts note that the U.S. already employs rigorous vetting systems for asylum seekers, and asylum applications processed through USCIS have faced significant backlogs for years. Critics argue these delays have worsened during the Trump administration.
Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, a San Diego-based organization, condemned the policy shifts, stating: “They are using a single violent individual as cover for a policy they have long planned, turning their own intelligence failures into an excuse to punish an entire community and the veterans who served alongside them.”
Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration program established to resettle Afghans following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. According to #AfghanEvac, while Lakanwal applied for asylum during the Biden administration, his request was approved this year under Trump’s administration.
Former landlord Kristina Widman reported that Lakanwal lived in Bellingham, Washington, approximately 80 miles north of Seattle, with his wife and five children. Neighbor Mohammad Sherzad described him as polite and quiet with limited English proficiency. Sherzad, who attended the same mosque as Lakanwal, mentioned hearing from community members that Lakanwal struggled to find employment and “disappeared” about two weeks ago.
According to an Amazon spokesperson, Lakanwal briefly worked as an independent contractor for Amazon Flex earlier this summer, a program allowing individuals to deliver packages using their personal vehicles.
A person claiming to be Lakanwal’s cousin reported that the suspect served in a CIA-backed Afghan Army unit known as one of the special Zero Units in Kandahar province. Starting as a security guard in 2012, Lakanwal was allegedly promoted to team leader and GPS specialist.
Federal investigators are currently executing warrants in Washington state and other locations across the country as they piece together the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The West Virginia National Guard released a statement honoring Specialist Beckstrom, who enlisted in 2023 after graduating high school. She served as a military police officer with the 863rd Military Police Company and volunteered for the D.C. deployment. The Guard’s statement noted that “she exemplified leadership, dedication, and professionalism” during her service.
The administration has indicated it will intensify efforts to restrict legal immigration, including reviewing Afghans and other legal migrants already in the country, as well as potentially pausing entry from certain nations.
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7 Comments
The administration’s policy changes in response to this attack are understandable, but we must be cautious about overly broad measures that could unfairly target Afghan refugees and asylum seekers. Their safety and legal rights should be protected as well.
That’s a fair perspective. It’s a delicate balance between security concerns and upholding humanitarian principles. I hope policymakers can find an approach that addresses the threats without resorting to overly broad restrictions.
The shooting near the White House is deeply disturbing. My heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones. I hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened and prevent future such incidents.
This is a complex situation involving national security, immigration, and the tragic loss of life. I’m curious to learn more about the suspect’s background and potential motivations once the investigation provides more details.
This is a tragic and concerning incident. My condolences to the families of the fallen National Guard members. It’s important to let the investigation run its course and avoid rushing to judgement before all the facts are known.
I agree. This shooting raises many questions that need to be thoroughly examined. Ensuring public safety while upholding due process will be critical.
This is a troubling development that raises many difficult questions. I’m glad the authorities are moving swiftly to investigate and address the situation. Maintaining public safety while upholding the rule of law will be crucial.