US Suspends All Afghan Immigration Requests After White House Shooting Kills Two Troops

The United States has moved swiftly to freeze all immigration requests from Afghan nationals after a shocking shooting incident near the White House left two National Guard soldiers dead. The attack, carried out by an Afghan man, has triggered a major security review and prompted the Biden administration to enforce an indefinite suspension of all Afghan-related immigration processing.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the decision on Thursday, stating that all immigration cases involving Afghan nationals would remain paused while authorities reassess background checks and vetting procedures.

“Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols,” USCIS posted on X, emphasising that protecting the American public remains its “singular focus.”

Targeted Attack Near White House Raises Alarm

Hours before the suspension was announced, two members of the West Virginia National Guard were fatally shot in an ambush-style attack just blocks away from the White House in Washington, DC. The attack led to an emergency lockdown in the area as law enforcement responded.

President Donald Trump, who was in Florida for Thanksgiving, condemned the killings as a “heinous” and “terrorist” act. In a video message, he said:

“On the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday, two members of the National Guard were shot at point-blank range in a monstrous ambush just steps from the White House… It was a crime against our entire nation.”

Trump has directed the Pentagon to deploy an additional 500 troops to strengthen security across the US capital.

Suspect Identified as Afghan National Who Arrived in 2021

Investigators have identified the suspected shooter as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome—a special program aimed at fast-tracking immigration for Afghans following the Taliban’s takeover.

Lakanwal was critically injured during an exchange of gunfire with security forces and is currently hospitalised under heavy guard. Authorities believe he acted alone, but are reviewing his background, movements, and possible motives.

The attack has intensified political pressure in Washington, particularly following renewed calls by President Trump for stricter deportation measures and deeper scrutiny of Afghan migrants who arrived post-2021.

Broader Impact and Growing Scrutiny

The sudden halt in Afghan immigration processing marks one of the most severe federal actions against a specific migrant group since 2021. The pause is expected to affect thousands of Afghans awaiting asylum, green card approval, family reunification, and resettlement.

US officials say the suspension will remain in place until the government completes a full review of existing vetting protocols to determine whether additional security failures contributed to the attack.

For Afghan nationals already in the US, immigration lawyers warn that uncertainty may grow as enforcement agencies intensify background investigations.