The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday announced an indefinite halt on all immigration requests from Afghan nationals after a shooting incident near the White House.
The suspect, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, shot two National Guard troops before being detained by authorities. President Donald Trump called the attack “monstrous” and stated that Lakanwal had entered the US under Operation Allies Welcome in September 2021 during the Biden administration. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the suspect had been “mass paroled” into the country under the program.
In response, USCIS said it would immediately suspend processing of all Afghan immigration cases while reviewing security and vetting protocols, citing the safety of Americans as its top priority. The attack, occurring on the eve of Thanksgiving, was condemned by Trump as “an act of evil, hatred, and terror,” with his thoughts extended to the injured National Guard members and their families. Afghanistan has not yet commented on the US decision.
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