Washington D.C. – The United States has taken swift and decisive action as US ends immigration from Afghanistan following a terrorist attack near the White House that left two National Guard troops critically wounded. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services made the massive announcement on Wednesday after identifying the suspect as an Afghan national who entered the country under a Biden-era program.
Immediate Immigration Halt Announced
The dramatic decision that US ends immigration from Afghanistan came through an official USCIS statement declaring an indefinite suspension of all processing. “Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols. The protections and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission,” the agency announced on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
This sweeping policy change represents one of the most significant immigration actions taken by the Trump administration and demonstrates how quickly US ends immigration from Afghanistan in response to security threats on American soil.
Suspect Identified as Afghan National
The decision that US ends immigration from Afghanistan followed the identification of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, as the suspect in the DC shooting. Lakanwal allegedly shot two National Guard troops just blocks from the White House in what authorities are describing as an ambush-style attack. The suspect was subsequently shot and detained by other Guard members at the scene.
President Donald Trump confirmed the suspect’s immigration status, stating, “I can report tonight that based on the best available information, the Department of Homeland Security is confident that the suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan.” This revelation prompted immediate action as US ends immigration from Afghanistan to prevent similar incidents.
Operation Allies Welcome Connection
The pathway through which the suspect entered the United States became a focal point as US ends immigration from Afghanistan. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed critical details on X, posting that the suspect was “mass paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome on September 8, 2021, under the Biden Administration.”
This program, implemented during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, allowed thousands of Afghan nationals to enter the United States with expedited processing. The revelation that the DC shooter entered through this program intensified scrutiny and accelerated the decision whereby US ends immigration from Afghanistan.
Trump’s Strong Condemnation
President Trump, spending the Thanksgiving weekend in Florida, issued stern statements both about the attack and Afghanistan itself. His characterization of Afghanistan as a “hell hole on earth” underscored the administration’s hardline stance that culminated in the decision that US ends immigration from Afghanistan.
“Earlier today on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday, two members of the National Guard serving in Washington DC were shot at point blank range in a monstrous, ambush styled attack just steps away from the White House. This heinous assault was an act of evil and an act of hatred and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation, it was a crime against humanity,” Trump declared.
Attack Details and Victims
The incident that precipitated the announcement that US ends immigration from Afghanistan occurred when two West Virginia National Guard members were shot in broad daylight. The President emphasized the severity of the attack, describing it as occurring “at point blank range” in an “ambush styled attack” mere steps from the White House.
“The hearts of all Americans tonight are with those two members of the West Virginian National Guards and their families,” Trump added, highlighting the human cost that drove the decision whereby US ends immigration from Afghanistan.
Security and Vetting Protocol Review
Central to the announcement that US ends immigration from Afghanistan is a comprehensive review of security and vetting protocols. The USCIS statement explicitly linked the indefinite suspension to concerns about existing screening processes, particularly those used during the Operation Allies Welcome program that brought the suspect to American shores.
This review will examine how Lakanwal passed through vetting procedures in 2021 and what gaps in the system allowed someone who would later commit a terrorist attack to gain entry. The thoroughness of this review will determine when and if immigration from Afghanistan might resume after US ends immigration from Afghanistan temporarily.
International Response Pending
As of the announcement that US ends immigration from Afghanistan, Afghan authorities have not issued any official response to the immigration department’s decisive action. The lack of immediate reaction from Afghanistan highlights the complex diplomatic situation and the unilateral nature of the American decision.
Broader Immigration Implications
The sweeping nature of the policy whereby US ends immigration from Afghanistan affects all pending and future immigration requests from Afghan nationals, regardless of their circumstances or previous connections to the United States. This includes refugees, special immigrant visa applicants, family reunification cases, and other immigration categories.
The indefinite timeline attached to the suspension means thousands of Afghan nationals with pending applications face uncertain futures as US ends immigration from Afghanistan without a clear pathway to resumption. The administration has indicated that any future changes will depend entirely on the outcomes of the security review and implementation of enhanced vetting protocols.
This historic decision marks a significant shift in US immigration policy toward Afghanistan and sets a precedent for how the administration will respond to security incidents involving foreign nationals.
