Afghan Community in the US Condemns DC Shooting, Appeals to Trump

Sat Nov 29 2025 08:44:03 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In light of a tragic shooting in Washington DC involving a former Afghan asylum seeker, the Afghan community in the United States calls for understanding and distinction from the actions of one individual. They express fears of broad backlash against migrants and urge continued support for Afghan immigrants.

Afghans residing in the US have strongly condemned a recent shooting in Washington DC, carried out by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who immigrated from Afghanistan. The community emphasizes that Lakanwal's actions do not represent them, and they express concern over increased scrutiny on Afghan immigration following the incident. Afghan groups urge the US government to uphold its commitment to Afghan partners despite the tragedy, advocating for a comprehensive investigation while highlighting their contributions and gratitude towards the US.

Afghans living in the US have condemned Wednesday's deeply tragic shooting attack in Washington DC, while stressing that the suspect - who moved to the US from Afghanistan four years ago - does not represent them.

The alleged gunman, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered America under a programme that offered special immigration protections to Afghans who worked with the US in the wake of its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed in Wednesday's shooting, and a colleague, Andrew Wolfe, 24, is said to be fighting for his life.

In response, US President Donald Trump has halted the processing of all immigration requests from Afghans, ordered a review of green cards issued to individuals from 19 countries, and threatened a wider crackdown on migrants from what he calls third-world countries.

The Afghan Community Coalition of the United States expressed its sympathy for families of the victims, calling for a comprehensive investigation but urging the US government not to delay or suspend Afghan immigration claims.

Twenty years of Afghan-US partnership must not be forgotten, the coalition's statement said, wavering on the two-decade effort launched by the US in 2001 to overthrow Afghanistan's Taliban rulers and establish security in the country.

Afghans in America told the BBC they had been horrified by the Washington DC attack, which they emphasized was the act of just one person. Some spoke anonymously out of fear of reprisals by the Taliban, which took back control of Afghanistan following the US troop withdrawal in 2021.

One of the Afghans, who moved after the US withdrawal, described Wednesday's incident as deeply tragic and underscored that it was an individual criminal offence, not representative of a community.

He noted that Afghans in the United States are hardworking, tax-paying members of society and remain grateful to America for the evacuation efforts during the crisis in Kabul.

Another Afghan man labeled Wednesday's shooting really shocking and indicated that this individual crime should not reflect the entire Afghan community.

Crystal Bayat, an Afghan human rights activist, expressed her hopes that the US government would reconsider its stance on Afghan migrants. She highlighted the precarious position of families left behind in Afghanistan who are at risk due to their affiliations with the US.