The United States has suspended all immigration applications from Afghan nationals following a shooting in Washington DC that left two National Guard members in a critical condition.
Immediate Suspension Announced
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) declared an immediate and indefinite halt to processing all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals. The agency announced the major policy shift on social media platform X, stating the pause was pending a further review of security and vetting protocols.
"The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission," the agency affirmed in its online statement.
Details of the Attack and the Suspect
The suspension comes after Rahmanullah Lakanwa, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was arrested in connection with the targeted attack on Wednesday, November 26. The shooting left two National Defence guards critically injured while they were on active duty.
According to FBI director Kash Patel, both victims remain hospitalised in a critical condition. Investigations reveal that Lakanwa arrived in the US in September 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a programme established by the Biden administration to evacuate and resettle tens of thousands of Afghans after the American military withdrawal.
A relative of the suspect disclosed to NBC News that Lakanwa had previously served for a decade in the Afghan Army, including a posting at a base in Kandahar, and had worked alongside US Special Forces troops prior to his relocation.
Political Fallout and Security Review
The incident has triggered significant political repercussions. Former US President Donald Trump directly criticised the Biden administration's handling of the 2021 evacuations.
"He was flown in by the Biden administration in September 2021 on those infamous flights that everybody was talking about. Nobody knew who was coming in, nobody knew anything about it," Trump stated.
The suspension of Afghan immigration processing underscores the heightened security concerns and marks a significant shift in US policy as authorities conduct a thorough review of vetting procedures in the wake of the attack.
