WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has halted all asylum decisions and paused issuing visas for individuals traveling on Afghan passports following a recent shooting incident near the White House that left one National Guard member dead and another critically injured.
The suspect, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had worked with the CIA during the Afghanistan War. He now faces severe charges, including first-degree murder. Reports indicate that he had applied for asylum during the Biden administration, which was later approved under the Trump administration.
In the aftermath of the shooting, which claimed the life of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and severely injured Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, the Trump administration vowed to intensify its focus on immigration controls. This includes a freeze on entry from impoverished countries and a review of legal migrants already present in the U.S. Critics have raised concerns that the administration is exploiting this tragic incident to further its longstanding agenda against legal immigration.
Trump referred to the shooting as a 'terrorist attack' and criticized the Biden administration for allowing entry to Afghans who assisted U.S. military efforts. Joseph Edlow, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, stated that asylum processes will be paused to ensure more stringent vetting measures.
In addition, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a halt to visa issuance for all Afghan nationals. Advocacy groups, such as #AfghanEvac, condemned these drastic measures, suggesting they unjustly target an entire community for the actions of a single individual.
The suspect, Lakanwal, lived in Bellingham, Washington, and had recently struggled to find employment. He reportedly worked briefly for Amazon before his disappearance about two weeks prior to the incident. Lakanwal had fled Afghanistan via Operation Allies Welcome, a program initiated by the Biden administration designed to resettle Afghans post U.S. withdrawal.
Beckstrom, who had enlisted in the military shortly after high school, was recognized for her exemplary service within the National Guard. The West Virginia National Guard praised her leadership and dedication, highlighting her decision to volunteer for the D.C. deployment.
In summary, as investigations continue into both the tragic shooting incident and the policies surrounding immigration, the situation remains complex and multifaceted, prompting a variety of responses and opinions from different sectors of society.
