WASHINGTON (AP) — In a significant policy shift, the Trump administration has halted all asylum decisions and paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports, following a shooting incident near the White House that left one National Guard member dead and another critically injured. Investigators are actively seeking a motive for the shooting involving a 29-year-old Afghan national who worked with the CIA during the Afghanistan War. The suspect faces several serious charges, including first-degree murder, with an asylum request initially made under the Biden administration being approved this year under Trump.
The administration has vowed to intensify efforts to tighten immigration laws, particularly targeting legal migrants from certain countries and conducting reviews on Afghan nationals already in the U.S. The halt in asylum decisions is justified by officials citing necessary vetting measures for incoming applicants. Critics, however, argue this response wrongly punishes the wider Afghan community, which has aided U.S. operations.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has indicated the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, also faces assault charges, with further charges expected as investigations continue. Meanwhile, the tragic incident underscores ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. immigration policies, as Trump called it a 'terrorist attack' and criticized the Biden administration for its approach to Afghan asylum applicants.
The National Guard members involved were part of a mission aimed at addressing crime in Washington D.C., marking yet another chapter in the complex narrative of U.S. military and immigration policy following the Afghanistan withdrawal. As the country assesses the implications of this incident on asylum and immigration processes, community leaders advocate for a more nuanced understanding of the Afghan community's contributions to U.S. efforts and security.
The administration has vowed to intensify efforts to tighten immigration laws, particularly targeting legal migrants from certain countries and conducting reviews on Afghan nationals already in the U.S. The halt in asylum decisions is justified by officials citing necessary vetting measures for incoming applicants. Critics, however, argue this response wrongly punishes the wider Afghan community, which has aided U.S. operations.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has indicated the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, also faces assault charges, with further charges expected as investigations continue. Meanwhile, the tragic incident underscores ongoing tensions surrounding U.S. immigration policies, as Trump called it a 'terrorist attack' and criticized the Biden administration for its approach to Afghan asylum applicants.
The National Guard members involved were part of a mission aimed at addressing crime in Washington D.C., marking yet another chapter in the complex narrative of U.S. military and immigration policy following the Afghanistan withdrawal. As the country assesses the implications of this incident on asylum and immigration processes, community leaders advocate for a more nuanced understanding of the Afghan community's contributions to U.S. efforts and security.
