US Halts Afghan Immigration Processing After DC Shooting Incident

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has suspended all immigration processing requests for Afghan nationals following the identification of Rahmanullah Lakanwa, a 29-year-old Afghan man, as the suspect in a shooting incident in Washington DC. The shooting, which occurred on November 26, 2021, left two National Guard members critically injured.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, USCIS announced that the decision is effective immediately and will remain in place indefinitely. The agency emphasized that the safety and security of the American people are its top priority, stating, “The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission.”

According to reports, Lakanwa was arrested after a targeted attack on the National Guard members, who were on duty at the time. Both victims are currently hospitalized in critical condition, as confirmed by FBI director Kash Patel.

Lakanwa arrived in the United States in September 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a program initiated by the Biden administration to evacuate and resettle Afghan nationals following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. This initiative enabled the relocation of tens of thousands of Afghans amid the Taliban’s resurgence.

A relative of Lakanwa shared with NBC News that he had served alongside U.S. Special Forces during his time in Afghanistan and spent a decade in the Afghan Army, with part of his service based at a military installation in Kandahar. The background information has raised concerns regarding the vetting processes employed during the evacuation efforts.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration in the wake of the incident, stating, “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.”

The suspension of Afghan immigration processing has prompted discussions around national security and the effectiveness of current vetting protocols. As investigations into the incident continue, USCIS’s decision signals a re-evaluation of policies surrounding Afghan nationals entering the United States. The agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the public will likely shape future immigration practices.

As this story develops, further updates will be essential in understanding the broader implications of this incident on U.S. immigration policy and public safety.