US Halts Afghan Asylum After National Guard Shooting in Washington

US Suspends All Afghan Immigration Following Washington Attack

The United States has immediately suspended all asylum applications from Afghan nationals following a shooting incident in Washington D.C. that critically injured two National Guard members. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the indefinite pause on Wednesday, citing the need for further security review of vetting protocols.

Attack Near White House

The shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday near Farragut Square Metro Station, just blocks from the White House. Two National Guard soldiers from West Virginia were ambushed during their patrol, with one shot in the chest and head, and another struck before the suspect was subdued by a third guard. Both victims remain hospitalized in critical condition.

The alleged shooter has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden administration's program for Afghans who assisted U.S. forces during the 20-year war in Afghanistan. "This is exactly why we need to re-examine everyone who came in under the previous administration," President Donald Trump said in a video statement.

Background of the Suspect

Lakanwal had a complex history with U.S. forces. According to CIA Director John Ratcliffe, the suspect worked with American intelligence as "a member of a partner force in Kandahar." He served ten years in the Afghan Army alongside U.S. Special Forces before coming to America with his wife and five children.

Ironically, Lakanwal was granted asylum in April 2025 under the Trump administration, though officials noted he had overstayed his initial Special Immigration Visa. The FBI is investigating the shooting as a potential act of terrorism, though the suspect's specific motive remains unclear.

Political Fallout and Policy Changes

The incident has reignited political debates about immigration policy and national security. President Trump immediately called for re-examining all Afghan nationals who entered during the Biden administration, potentially affecting up to 200,000 people. "Nobody knew who was coming in, nobody knew anything," Trump claimed in his statement.

However, advocacy groups pushed back against the blanket suspension. #AfghanEvac, a coalition helping Afghan migrants, condemned the violence but emphasized that "his act of violence should not be used as an excuse to characterize an entire community."

Military Response and Security Measures

In response to the attack, President Trump has requested 500 additional National Guard troops be deployed to Washington D.C., bringing the total number of guardsmen in the capital to over 2,500. The National Guard has maintained a presence in Washington since summer 2025 as part of broader security measures.

The suspension of Afghan immigration applications comes amid existing travel restrictions. The U.S. already had an entry ban for Afghan nationals in place as part of Trump's broader immigration policies targeting twelve countries.

As the investigation continues, the incident highlights ongoing tensions between national security concerns and humanitarian commitments to those who assisted American forces during two decades of conflict in Afghanistan.