Post by : Rameen Ariff

The United States has stopped processing all immigration requests from Afghan nationals after a shocking shooting took place near the White House in Washington, DC. The incident happened on Wednesday, a day before Thanksgiving, when two National Guard members were shot in broad daylight just two blocks from the White House.

The man accused of the attack has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan migrant who came to the US in 2021 during the large evacuation after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. He was resettled in Washington state under Operation Allies Welcome, a program created to bring Afghan partners of the US military and government to safety.

Following the shooting, the US government announced an immediate halt to all immigration requests linked to Afghan citizens. In an official statement, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services said that all Afghan-related immigration processing has been “stopped indefinitely” while authorities review security and background-check procedures.

The statement added that national security and the safety of Americans remain the government’s top priority.

Trump Calls for Strict Review of Afghan Migrants

President Donald Trump reacted strongly to the incident. He said the government will re-check every Afghan individual who entered the US after 2021. He also suggested broader action against migrants who, in his view, do not contribute to the country.

Trump said that anyone who “does not belong here” or “cannot love our country” should not be allowed to stay. His remarks come at a time when the presence of National Guard troops in major US cities has already been a heated topic, with debates over safety, crime, and the use of military personnel.

Shooter Also Injured, Now in Custody

Authorities confirmed that the suspect was also shot during the incident but his injuries were not life-threatening. He is currently in custody. The National Guard members who were attacked were targeted while carrying out duties near the White House, an area that usually has heavy security.

Background of the Afghan Evacuation Program

Operation Allies Welcome brought around 76,000 Afghans to the United States after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Many of them had worked closely with US forces and diplomats as translators and support staff.

However, the program has faced criticism from some political leaders, who argue that the vetting process was rushed. Supporters of the program say it provided safety to Afghans who would otherwise have faced danger under Taliban rule.

What Happens Next

The US government has said that a full review of the security process for Afghan immigration cases will be carried out. Until then, all pending and new applications from Afghan nationals will remain on hold.

The incident has intensified the national debate on immigration, security, and the handling of Afghan refugees, raising fresh questions about how the US manages arrivals from conflict zones.

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