In a significant policy shift, the United States has indefinitely suspended all immigration requests from Afghan nationals following a violent shooting in the heart of Washington, D.C.
Shooting Incident Near the White House
The suspension was triggered by an attack that left two West Virginia National Guard members in critical condition. The incident occurred on Thursday, 27 November 2025, in close proximity to the White House, sending shockwaves through the capital.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national. Investigations reveal that Lakanwal originally entered the United States in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the large-scale evacuation programme initiated during the Biden administration.
US Government Response and Policy Change
Former President Donald Trump characterised the violent act as an 'act of terror' and a 'crime against our entire nation'. In direct response, his administration has enacted an immediate and indefinite suspension of all Afghan immigration requests.
This drastic measure is pending a comprehensive, top-to-bottom review of the nation's security and vetting protocols. The review was launched following direct calls from Trump to re-examine the status of Afghan immigrants who entered the country under the previous administration's policies.
Heightened Security in the Capital
To bolster security and reassure the public in the aftermath of the attack, an additional 500 National Guard troops have been deployed to Washington, D.C. This show of force aims to prevent any further incidents and maintain order in the city.
The situation remains fluid as the security review gets underway, with the future of Afghan immigration to the United States now hanging in the balance.
