Trump Administration Halts Afghan Immigration Amid Shooting Incident

UPDATE: The Trump administration has just announced a sudden halt to immigration applications from Afghan nationals following a shocking shooting incident that injured two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. This urgent move by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) means that processing of all immigration requests related to Afghans is suspended indefinitely as officials reassess security and vetting protocols.

The statement from USCIS comes on the heels of the Department of Homeland Security’s confirmation that the suspect in the shooting is Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a man who entered the U.S. in 2021 under the Biden-era initiative known as Operation Allies Welcome. Lakanwal was shot by a National Guard member during the incident and is now in custody.

President Trump reacted swiftly, stating, “We must now reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden.” He emphasized the need for stringent measures to ensure the removal of individuals who may pose a threat. This announcement raises significant concerns about the future of Afghan nationals who have already settled in the U.S.

Since the end of the U.S. military’s two-decade presence in Afghanistan, over 85,000 Afghans were resettled in the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome. Many of these individuals faced perilous situations due to their service as military interpreters or support staff. However, the pathway to permanent residency remains fraught with challenges, as the Trump administration ended temporary protected status for Afghans earlier this year, affecting around 8,000 enrollees.

Political leaders from both parties have expressed support for Afghans who aided U.S. forces, with the Biden administration underscoring that participants underwent extensive security vetting. Despite this, skepticism remains among some Republican officials regarding the thoroughness of these vetting processes.

In the wake of the shooting, the nonprofit group AfghanEvac condemned the violence but urged the public not to vilify the broader Afghan community. AfghanEvac President Shawn VanDiver emphasized, “Those who would twist this moment to attack Afghan families aren’t seeking safety or justice — they’re exploiting division and endangering all of us.”

This developing situation has significant implications for the thousands of Afghans in the U.S. and those seeking refuge. As the administration reviews its immigration policies, many are left in limbo, uncertain about their future in a country they hoped would provide safety and opportunity.

Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent story unfolds.