A suspect accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House entered the United States through Operation Allies Welcome, an Afghan resettlement programme that has become the centre of political controversy.
The attack occurred on Wednesday night outside a metro station in downtown Washington DC, with officials describing it as a targeted ambush. The two guardsmen remain in critical condition, with one identified as Andrew Wolfe of West Virginia undergoing surgery.
What is Operation Allies Welcome?
Launched in August 2021 during President Biden's administration, Operation Allies Welcome was established following the chaotic US military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban's return to power. The programme aimed to provide protection and relocation for vulnerable Afghans, particularly those eligible for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) because they had assisted US operations in Afghanistan.
The Biden administration emphasised at the time that the US government was working to conduct thorough security screening and vetting of vulnerable Afghans before permitting entry, balancing national security concerns with protection for Afghan allies.
In 2022, the programme was renamed Operation Enduring Welcome as it shifted toward a more long-term approach focusing on assisting Afghans with SIVs and helping others utilise refugee and immigration programmes.
Political Fallout and Exaggerated Claims
In a televised address from Mar-a-Lago, former President Trump condemned the attack as a "crime against humanity" and used his Truth Social platform to call the shooter an "animal," warning he would pay the "steepest possible price."
Trump claimed the Biden administration had let in "20 million unknown and unvetted foreigners" through Operation Allies Welcome. However, this figure represents a significant exaggeration compared to official statistics.
According to State Department figures, approximately 190,000 Afghans have settled in the United States through both Operation Allies Welcome and Operation Enduring Welcome since August 2021. AfghanEvac, an organisation assisting with relocations, estimates a further 260,000 have applied through the programmes and are still awaiting processing.
Suspect's Immigration History and Aftermath
The suspect, identified as Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, arrived in the US on September 8, 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome. Like most participants in the programme, he received permission to enter and remain in the country for two years without permanent immigration status.
Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2024, with his application approved this year under the Trump administration.
In response to the shooting, the United States has suspended all Afghan immigration requests indefinitely. US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the decision pending a review of "security and vetting protocols," stating that "the protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission."
Trump has called for a complete re-examination of every Afghan immigrant who entered the US through these programmes. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has ordered 500 additional National Guardsmen to Washington DC ahead of Thanksgiving celebrations.
Operation Enduring Welcome is scheduled to be shut down by the end of 2025, though processing has already slowed, leaving many Afghans with active applications stranded in Afghanistan where they face potential reprisals, or in third countries like Pakistan where their security isn't guaranteed.
