Local News
US Suspends Afghan Immigration Following Shooting Of Two National Guard Members In Washington
The United States has suspended processing all immigration requests from Afghans following a shooting near the White House that left two National Guard members critically injured. Authorities identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakamal, a 29-year-old Afghan who arrived in the US in September 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said the suspension would remain in effect pending a review of “security and vetting protocols” for Afghan arrivals. Lakamal applied for asylum in 2024, and his application was approved earlier this year.
President Donald Trump called the attack “an act of terror” in remarks following the incident and vowed to take steps to remove foreigners “from any country who do not belong here.” He also stated that the US “must now re-examine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden.”
The shooting occurred at around 14:15 EST (17:15 GMT) near the Farragut Square Metro Station, a busy area in downtown Washington. Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll said the suspect “came around the corner” and “immediately started firing,” ambushing the soldiers as they conducted a high-visibility patrol.
Other National Guard members intervened, subduing the suspect until police arrived. The suspect was reportedly shot four times by law enforcement. Witnesses described panicked crowds fleeing the scene and shared footage showing the soldiers being treated on the street.
In response, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Trump had authorized the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops to the capital. Currently, nearly 2,200 reservists are stationed in Washington, primarily to support local law enforcement and maintain public safety.
“These forces will stiffen our resolve to ensure that we make Washington, DC, safe and beautiful,” Hegseth said. National Guard troops have been in the city since August to address what Trump described as “out of control” crime.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of Afghan migration to the United States. Tens of thousands of Afghans entered the country following the 2021 US withdrawal and Taliban takeover. Earlier this year, Trump imposed a travel ban on nationals from Afghanistan and 11 other countries, though Afghan nationals with Special Immigration Visas were exempted.
Trump has also ended the Temporary Protected Status programme, which granted deportation protection and work permits to Afghans who could not safely return home due to war.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the investigation into Lakamal is ongoing, and authorities have pledged to continue reviewing immigration and security protocols for Afghan arrivals.