The United States has paused all immigration requests from Afghan nationals following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House. The decision came after the suspect was identified as a 29-year-old Afghan man who arrived in the country in 2021.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services said the suspension will remain in place while officials review current security and vetting procedures.
Suspect Entered Under 2021 Afghan Resettlement Program
The Department of Homeland Security named the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal. He first entered the US under Operation Allies Welcome, a program created to help Afghans who feared retaliation from the Taliban after the American withdrawal in 2021.
According to officials, Lakanwal later applied for asylum in 2024. His request was approved earlier this year. Authorities say he is currently refusing to cooperate with investigators.
White House Calls the Attack an Act of Terror
President Donald Trump described the shooting as an act of terror and said the US would begin removing individuals “from any country who does not belong here”. He also said the government must review every Afghan national admitted during the previous administration.
Tens of thousands of Afghans were resettled in the US after the fall of Kabul in 2021.
How the Shooting Happened
The attack took place near Farragut Square in downtown Washington at around 2:15 pm on Wednesday. Officials say two National Guard soldiers were on a high-visibility patrol when the suspect rounded a corner and immediately opened fire.
Witnesses reported panic as people ran for cover. Video taken by bystanders showed two soldiers lying on the street while medics worked to stabilize them. Another injured person, believed to be the suspect, was also seen receiving treatment.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect was shot four times before being detained by nearby Guard members who heard the gunfire.
One soldier is dead while the other is in critical condition.
National Guard Troop Increase Ordered
Following the attack, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Trump ordered 500 more Guard members to be deployed to the nation’s capital. This brings the total number of Guard troops in Washington to nearly 2,700.
The force has been in place since August to help address public safety concerns in the city. While Guard members cannot make arrests, officials say their presence has helped reduce crime.
Immigration Policies Tighten Further
The Biden-era program that protected many Afghans from deportation has already been cancelled. Earlier this year, the Trump administration also barred travelers from Afghanistan and several other countries, with only a few exceptions.
The latest suspension adds another layer of restriction, affecting thousands of Afghans who hoped to immigrate through existing programs.
What Comes Next
Federal investigators are still piecing together the suspect’s background and any motive behind the attack. Officials have not yet released the names of the injured soldiers.
More details are expected as the review of immigration protocols moves forward.
