USCIS Suspends Afghan Immigration After DC Shooting Incident

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has halted all Afghan immigration requests indefinitely following a shooting near the White House in Washington, D.C., in which two National Guard members were critically injured. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, is currently in custody.

The USCIS announced on social media that processing for Afghan nationals will be paused indefinitely to allow a full review of security and vetting procedures. Lakanwal had entered the U.S. in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program initiated during the Biden administration to resettle Afghan evacuees.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the suspect’s parole status and emphasized that the freeze is intended to safeguard the American public. President Donald Trump condemned the attack, calling it a “monstrous, ambush-style act of terror,” and praised DHS for quickly identifying the suspect.

The incident has intensified debate over U.S. immigration vetting and national security. The freeze could have long-term consequences for Afghan asylum and parole programs, signaling a heightened focus on stringent screening for all future applicants from Afghanistan.

The USCIS move reflects a direct policy response to a security threat and highlights ongoing concerns about national safety amid immigration.