Afghans living in the US have condemned Wednesday's deeply tragic deadly shooting attack in Washington DC, while stressing that the suspect - who moved to the US from Afghanistan four years ago - does not represent them.
The alleged gunman, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered America under a programme that offered special immigration protections to Afghans who worked with the US in the wake of the its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed in Wednesday's shooting, and a colleague, Andrew Wolfe, 24, is said to be fighting for his life.
In response, US President Donald Trump has halted the processing of all immigration requests from Afghans, ordered a review of green cards issued to individuals from 19 countries, and threatened a wider crackdown on migrants from what he calls third-world countries.
The Afghan Community Coalition of United States expressed its sympathy for families of the victims, calling for a comprehensive investigation but urging the US government not to delay or suspend Afghan immigration claims.
Afghans told the BBC they had been horrified by the attack, emphasizing it was the act of an individual. They spoke anonymously for fear of reprisals by the Taliban, which regained control of Afghanistan in 2021.
One Afghan immigrant described the shooting as deeply tragic, especially in light of its timing before Thanksgiving and within a highly charged political environment in Washington.
Despite the immediate fear and uncertainty, many in the Afghan community want to highlight their role as hard-working, tax-paying members of society grateful for US evacuation efforts during the Kabul crisis.
The situation has been exacerbated by fears stemming from the political actions of the current administration, which they feel threatens their future stability in the United States.
