Immigration Applications from Afghan Nationals Paused Following Shooting Incident
Overview of the Situation
On November 27, 2025, federal immigration authorities announced an indefinite pause on processing requests from Afghan nationals. This decision follows the identification of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021, as the suspect in a shooting that injured two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.
Statement from Immigration Authorities
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Servstarts (USCIS) released a statement indicating that processing for all immigration requests related to Afghan nationals is halted pending a review of security and vetting protocols. The announcement was made just after the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Lakanwal was in custody after being shot during the incident.
Background of the Shooting Suspect
Rahmanullah Lakanwal reportedly arrived in the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden-era initiative designed to assist Afghan nationals following the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Lakanwal was paroled into the country on humanitarian grounds and subsequently applied for asylum in 2024, which was granted in 2025. His request for a green card, associated with the asylum grant, remains pending.
Context of Afghan Immigration to the U.S.
Operation Allies Welcome facilitated the entry of approximately 85,000 Afghans to the U.S. Many refugees were housed at military bases temporarily before being relocated. Afghan nationals have various pathways for immigration, including Special Immigration Visas for those who worked with U.S. forces, asylum applications for those fleeing persecution, and protections like humanitarian parole and temporary protected status (TPS).
More than 8,000 Afghans received deportation relief under TPS, a program that was extended by the Biden administration in 2023, following its termination earlier in the year under the Trump administration.
Political Reactions
The situation has sparked comments from political figures across party lines. Former President Trump urged policymakers to reevaluate the immigration status of Afghan nationals admitted under the Biden administration to ensure the safety of Americans. Meanwhile, both Democratic and Republican leaders have expressed support for assisting Afghans who aided U.S. military efforts during the two-decade war.
Concerns Over Vetting Procedures
Despite the Biden administration’s emphasis on thorough security vetting for Afghan entrants, some Republican officials have raised concerns about the adequacy of these processes.
AfghanEvac, a nonprofit organization, condemned the shooting and urged the public not to generalize or vilify the Afghan community based on the actions of start individual. The group highlighted that Afghans undergo rigorous security vetting, making them among the most extensively reviewed populations entering the country.
Shawn VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac, stated, “Those who would twist this moment to attack Afghan families aren’t seeking safety or juststart – they’re exploiting division and endangering all of us.”
This ongoing situation will continue to unfold as both security protocols and immigration policies are reexamined in light of recent events.