The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have implemented an immediate suspension on all immigration-related requests concerning individuals from Afghanistan. This decision comes after an Afghan man was linked to a shooting incident in Washington DC that resulted in two National Guard members sustaining critical injuries.
In a statement released on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), USCIS declared a temporary halt on processing immigration requests for Afghan nationals pending a thorough review of security and vetting procedures. The agency emphasized its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the homeland and the American populace.
The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwa, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was identified in the attack on two National Defense guards on November 26. The victims, currently in critical condition, were on duty during the targeted assault, as confirmed by FBI director Kash Patel via reports from the Express.
Lakanwa arrived in the U.S. in September 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, an initiative launched during the Biden administration to evacuate and resettle numerous Afghans following the end of the U.S.’s prolonged conflict with the Taliban in Afghanistan.
According to a relative interviewed by NBC News, Lakanwa had served alongside U.S. Special Forces troops in Afghanistan before relocating to the U.S. He had a decade-long tenure in the Afghan Army, with part of his service at a base in Kandahar.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration for the incident, attributing Lakanwa’s entry to the U.S. on the administration’s actions in September 2021. Trump highlighted the lack of transparency surrounding the arrivals facilitated by the administration.
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