WASHINGTON (PulseWire) — Following a tragic shooting near the White House, the Trump administration has paused all asylum decisions and halted visa issuance for individuals holding Afghan passports. The shooting, which resulted in the death of one National Guard member and left another critically wounded, is under investigation with no clear motive yet established.
The suspected shooter, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who previously worked with the CIA during the Afghanistan War, faces multiple charges including first-degree murder. Reports indicate that he had applied for asylum during the Biden administration and was granted protection earlier this year under Trump.
In light of the shooting, the Trump administration has vowed to tighten legal immigration, claiming to pause entries from certain nations while further scrutinizing Afghan and other legal migrants already residing in the U.S. Critics, including the president of the #AfghanEvac organization, argue that the administration is using this incident to justify pre-existing policies that target the Afghan community.
Pause on Asylum and Visa Issuance
President Trump termed the incident a “terrorist attack” and criticized the Biden administration for allowing entry to Afghans who assisted U.S. forces. TRump’s administration stated that they will pause asylum decisions until “every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible,” according to Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Despite existing rigorous vetting systems for asylum seekers, industry experts have noted that backlog issues for claims made within the U.S. have worsened, particularly under the Trump administration.
The Victims and the Suspect
The shooting resulted in the death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and left Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, hospitalized. Both members served with the West Virginia National Guard. Witnesses described the suspect, Lakanwal, as polite yet struggling to find work after arriving in the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome.
As investigations continue, scrutiny surrounding Lakanwal's past as a member of a CIA-backed Afghan Army unit grows, with implications that highlight challenges faced by Afghan allies trying to resettle in the U.S.
A Tribute to Beckstrom
Beckstrom, who joined the National Guard shortly after graduating high school in 2023, was lauded for her leadership and commitment. The West Virginia National Guard commemorated her service and dedication, as she volunteered for her deployment to D.C.
As national discourse on immigration and safety continues, the incident raises significant questions regarding policy and community implications.
