WASHINGTON (FlashPoint) — Following a shooting near the White House that left one National Guard member dead and another critically injured, the Trump administration has halted all asylum decisions and paused visas for those traveling on Afghan passports.
The suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who worked for the CIA during the Afghanistan War. He now faces charges, including first-degree murder. Reports indicate he applied for asylum during the Biden administration, receiving approval this year under Trump's policies.
The shooting has prompted the Trump administration to push for stricter immigration controls, citing a need to vet and screen legal migrants more thoroughly. Critics argue this move unfairly penalizes the Afghan community based on the actions of one individual.
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, the National Guard member who died, was part of a crime-fighting mission deployed in Washington, D.C. alongside Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who remains in critical condition.
In response to the tragedy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow announced a pause on asylum decisions until further vetting measures could be implemented. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed a freeze on visas for all Afghans, a decision that has raised alarms among advocacy groups such as #AfghanEvac, which assist Afghan refugees.
Lakanwal, who moved to the U.S. under the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome, had lived in Bellingham, Washington, and was reported to have been struggling to find work. The investigation continues as authorities execute warrants across multiple states.
Beckstrom, who joined the military after graduating high school in 2023, was remembered for her leadership and dedication to service.
