Trump Freezes Visas, Asylum Following Guard Shooting/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration has suspended all asylum decisions and Afghan visa processing after a fatal Washington, D.C. shooting involving a National Guard member. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national granted asylum, is facing murder charges. The incident has sparked intense debate over immigration policy and vetting procedures.
US Halts Asylum Processing After Guard Shooting: Quick Looks
- Trump administration pauses all asylum decisions after fatal D.C. shooting.
- Afghan suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal charged with first-degree murder.
- National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, killed in the attack.
- Lakanwal entered the U.S. through Operation Allies Welcome in 2021.
- USCIS director says pause necessary for deeper immigrant vetting.
- Secretary of State halts visa issuance for Afghan passport holders.
- Critics call move political and blame policy failures, not migrants.
- Lakanwal had CIA ties, was part of elite Zero Unit in Afghanistan.
- Investigation underway across multiple states, including Washington.
- Shooting used to justify broader immigration crackdowns.
Deep Look: Trump Pauses All Asylum After National Guard Shooting in D.C.
WASHINGTON (AP) – In a dramatic policy shift following a fatal shooting near the White House, the Trump administration has halted all asylum decisions and stopped visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports. The announcement came days after a violent incident left one National Guard member dead and another critically wounded, with an Afghan national facing murder charges.
The Shooting and Immediate Response
The suspect in the attack, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, reportedly fired on two National Guard members in a downtown area close to the White House on Wednesday. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was fatally shot, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition. Both were members of the West Virginia National Guard, deployed as part of President Trump’s domestic public safety initiative.
Lakanwal, who previously worked with the CIA during the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan, has been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office. Pirro stated in a Fox News interview that “many more charges” were likely.
Immigration Policy Shifts
Citing national security, Trump labeled the incident a “terrorist attack” and directly blamed the Biden-era refugee policies for permitting Lakanwal’s entry. Joseph Edlow, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, announced the suspension of asylum decisions via a statement on X (formerly Twitter), stating the pause would continue “until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also confirmed the State Department had suspended all visa issuance for individuals with Afghan passports, citing the need for reevaluation of the vetting process.
Background on the Suspect
Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden administration initiative aimed at resettling Afghans who had assisted U.S. forces during the 20-year conflict. His asylum application, submitted during Biden’s term, was ultimately approved this year under Trump.
According to advocacy group #AfghanEvac, Lakanwal had served in a CIA-backed Afghan special operations unit, known as the Zero Units, and held roles including team leader and GPS specialist. He was reportedly struggling with unemployment before the attack and had recently worked as an independent contractor for Amazon Flex.
Neighbors in Bellingham, Washington, where Lakanwal lived with his wife and five children, described him as reserved and soft-spoken. Community members at his mosque noted he had recently “disappeared” from regular attendance.
Broader Immigration Implications
The administration has used the incident to justify tougher restrictions on immigration, with Trump officials promising to review the status of not only recent arrivals but also legally admitted migrants already residing in the country.
Critics argue that the government is weaponizing a single incident to justify a predetermined crackdown on vulnerable groups. Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, stated:
“They are using a single violent individual as cover for a policy they have long planned, turning their own intelligence failures into an excuse to punish an entire community and the veterans who served alongside them.”
Remembering Sarah Beckstrom
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was remembered as a standout soldier by the West Virginia National Guard. Having enlisted in 2023 shortly after graduating high school, she quickly made her mark as a military police officer with the 863rd Military Police Company. “She exemplified leadership, dedication, and professionalism,” read a statement from the Guard, noting that she had volunteered for the Washington, D.C., deployment.
Ongoing Investigations
Federal agents have launched a multi-state investigation, executing search warrants in Washington state and other undisclosed locations. Authorities are continuing to explore Lakanwal’s potential motives, digital history, and travel patterns in the days leading up to the attack.
The tragic event has intensified the national debate over asylum, immigration, and domestic security. As the Trump administration leans into its hardline stance, the political and humanitarian ramifications are expected to echo well into the 2026 election cycle.
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