President Donald Trump, in response to a tragic shooting in Washington D.C. involving Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has announced the immediate suspension of all Afghan visas. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, resulted in the death of National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom and left Andrew Wolfe critically injured.
Lakanwal, an Afghan Army veteran who provided services to the CIA in Afghanistan, entered the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome with a temporary visa during the administration of President Joe Biden. His visa, which expired in 2024, was extended when President Trump's Department of Homeland Security approved his asylum application in April of that year.
The shooting has sparked a national conversation regarding the vetting process for immigrants and U.S. asylum policies. U.S. Attorney to the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, addressing the media, charged Lakanwal with first-degree murder following Beckstrom's death and acknowledged her service, describing the shooting as an ambush on the streets of the nation's capital.
In a further development, President Trump took to Truth Social to announce a broader immigration policy shift, declaring a pause on all immigration from "third-world countries" until further notice. He justified this decision by citing the strain on American resources, pointing to the 53 million immigrants in the U.S. as a significant social burden, and attributing them to societal issues such as failed schools and high crime rates.
Moreover, the President criticized the Somali immigrant community in Minnesota and the state's leadership, particularly targeting Governor Tim Walz and Representative Ilhan Omar for their roles in what he perceives as a decline in state safety and coherence.
As the story continues to unfold, the Trump administration's actions post-attack indicate a stringent policy shift concerning immigration and national security.
