Immigration Processing Suspended
The Department of Homeland Security has temporarily halted all immigration processing for Afghan migrants as of late Wednesday. This decision came shortly after authorities identified the shooter in the ambush of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., as an Afghan evacuee.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that this pause is indefinite and aims to facilitate a review of security and vetting protocols.
The announcement followed a video address from President Trump, who labeled the influx of migrants during the Biden administration as “the single greatest national security threat facing our nation.” He emphasized that “no country can tolerate such a risk to our very survival.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed that the shooting suspect entered the U.S. on September 8, 2021, as part of evacuation flights organized by then-President Biden to protect Afghans who assisted American military efforts amid the Taliban’s resurgence.
Trump noted that the suspect later had his status extended under legislation signed by Biden, although details about this legislation remain unclear.
Related: Two National Guard troops identified; Afghan national suspected in ambush shooting
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the suspect had been granted asylum but did not provide further details. He criticized the initial admission process for Afghan evacuees under Biden’s administration, claiming it lacked proper vetting procedures.
The shooter, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was injured by responding National Guard soldiers. A relative disclosed that Lakanwal had served in the Afghan army and collaborated with U.S. Special Forces during his service.
Biden’s airlift operation successfully evacuated around 80,000 Afghans from their homeland with the intention of protecting those who aided U.S. efforts against Taliban retaliation. However, experts have indicated that many among those rescued were not directly connected to American military operations but were instead middle-class individuals fortunate enough to navigate through Taliban checkpoints to reach Kabul airport.
Related: Trump pledges immigration reform following identification of Afghan shooter
Officials involved in the evacuation reported significant challenges throughout the process. The U.S. issued what it termed “electronic visas” intended for evacuees; however, these documents were easily replicated by Kabul residents.
A House investigation revealed that criteria for selecting individuals for evacuation changed frequently, leading one senior State Department official to describe it as merely a matter of filling airplanes.
