US Suspends Afghan Immigration Requests After DC National Guard Shooting
In a dramatic escalation following a violent attack in downtown Washington, D.C., the U.S. government has suspended all immigration requests from Afghan nationals—a sweeping and indefinite freeze that affects asylum seekers, SIV applicants, family reunification cases, and refugees.
The move comes less than 24 hours after two U.S. National Guard soldiers were critically wounded in what officials are calling a “targeted ambush”.
The Shooting: What Happened in Farragut Square
Time & Place:
- 2:15 p.m. EST, November 26
- Near Farragut Square Metro Station, steps from the White House
- Busy lunchtime crowd; heavy National Guard presence
Victims:
Two unnamed National Guard soldiers on a high-visibility patrol under Joint Task Force DC, deployed since August to curb violent crime. Both remain in critical condition.
Suspect:
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, Afghan national
- Entered the U.S. in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome
- Former Afghan National Army member
- Granted asylum in 2024
- Shot four times and subdued on the scene; currently hospitalized and non-cooperative
Authorities from MPD and DHS are treating it as a potential act of terror.
Immediate Response
Witnesses described panic as bystanders sheltered in nearby offices and cafés. Medics arrived within minutes, followed by rapid lockdown of the surrounding blocks.
Around 2,200 National Guard troops are stationed across D.C. as part of anti-crime operations—a controversial deployment facing lawsuits in multiple states for “militarizing” urban policing.
The Immigration Freeze: What USCIS Announced
On November 27, USCIS introduced an immediate, indefinite halt to:
- Asylum processing for Afghans
- Special Immigrant Visas (SIV)
- Family reunification applications
- Refugee entries
- Any immigration pathway for Afghan nationals
The agency also ordered a full review of vetting protocols for the ~200,000 Afghans admitted since 2021, plus the ~265,000 awaiting decisions overseas.
This builds on earlier Trump-era actions:
- The Afghan travel ban (with limited SIV exceptions)
- Termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Official Statements
President Donald Trump
Called the attack an “act of terror made possible by lax migration policies.”
Pledged to re-examine every Afghan entrant since 2021 and deport those deemed risky.
Department of Homeland Security
Referred to Lakanwal as a “criminal alien” and justified the freeze as a national security measure.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Announced deployment of 500 more Guard troops to D.C., promising to keep the capital “safe and beautiful.”
Why This Matters: The Broader Numbers
- ~200,000 Afghans resettled in the U.S. after the 2021 Kabul evacuation
- ~180,000 SIV applicants still waiting abroad
- Many stuck in Pakistan, which has deported over 500,000 Afghans in the past year
- Others remain stranded in Qatar, North Macedonia, and Afghanistan itself
For many, the U.S. freeze shuts down the last viable escape route from Taliban persecution.
Analysis: What This Means for Security, Politics, and Humanity
1. National Security & Vetting
The shooting has renewed scrutiny of the rushed 2021 evacuation, where speed often outweighed full vetting.
Lakanwal had:
- No U.S. criminal record
- A clean Afghan military history
- A successful asylum claim
This challenges assumptions about “low-risk” entrants and gives ammunition to Trump officials pushing for stricter biometric and intelligence checks.
2. Political Shockwaves
For the Trump administration, the timing fits a hardline immigration narrative and fulfills campaign promises.
- Conservative media amplified the case within minutes.
- Democrats and refugee groups warn of “xenophobic overreach.”
- Early signs point to legal challenges from the ACLU and AfghanEvac.
The freeze also shifts attention away from criticism of large-scale Guard deployments in U.S. cities.
3. Humanitarian Fallout
The consequences are catastrophic for Afghans:
- Journalists, ex-soldiers, women activists, and minorities now face zero legal pathway to safety.
- Those already in Pakistan risk immediate deportation into Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
- Long-term impact: future allies in war zones may hesitate to support U.S. forces, fearing abandonment.
What Comes Next
Short-term scenarios:
- Emergency court challenges
- Possible narrow exemptions for SIV applicants with verified U.S. military service
Long-term scenarios:
- Overhaul of immigration vetting using AI biometrics
- Further restrictions depending on political momentum
- Growing international pressure as allied nations host stranded evacuees
This remains a rapidly developing story, and authorities may update the suspect’s motive or adjust policy in the coming days.