The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have put a temporary stop to processing immigration requests involving Afghan individuals. This decision comes after an Afghan man was linked to a shooting incident in Washington DC that resulted in two National Guard members sustaining critical injuries.
In a statement on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, USCIS announced the immediate suspension of all immigration requests concerning Afghan nationals. The halt is in place until further security and vetting protocols are reviewed.
The agency emphasized its commitment to prioritizing the protection and safety of the American people and homeland.
Rahmanullah Lakanwa, a 29-year-old Afghan national, has been identified as the alleged perpetrator behind the shooting of two National Defense guards on November 26. Both victims are currently in critical condition in the hospital, as confirmed by FBI director Kash Patel, according to reports from the Express.
Lakanwa entered the U.S. in September 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a program initiated under the Biden administration to evacuate and resettle numerous Afghans following the end of the U.S.’s long-standing conflict with the Taliban.
A relative of Lakanwa revealed to NBC News that the suspect had previously served alongside U.S. Special Forces troops in Afghanistan before relocating to the U.S. They disclosed that Lakanwa had spent a decade in the Afghan Army, with a portion of his service based in Kandahar.
Addressing the attack, former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration for allowing Lakanwa to enter the country, referring to the flights conducted in September 2021 for Afghan evacuees.
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