Afghan Americans condemn DC shooting as Trump halts immigration processing

Afghan Americans condemn DC shooting as Trump halts immigration processing

Afghan communities in the United States have denounced Wednesday's fatal shooting in Washington DC as a "deeply tragic" act by an individual, urging officials not to conflate the suspect's actions with their broader community. The attack, which killed 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounded 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, has prompted President Donald Trump to freeze all Afghan immigration requests and order a review of green cards issued to nationals from 19 countries.

Suspect's background and immigration status

The alleged gunman, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the US in 2021 under a special program for Afghans who had assisted American forces during the two-decade military presence in Afghanistan. Officials confirmed he had worked as a security guard at Kabul airport during the chaotic US withdrawal that year. Lakanwal was granted asylum in early 2025 after applying the previous year, according to a US official cited by CBS News.

Community response: Fear and solidarity

Afghans in the US, many of whom resettled after the 2021 Taliban takeover, expressed horror at the attack while emphasizing its isolation. One Afghan, who relocated post-withdrawal, called the incident an "individual criminal offence" unrelated to the community's values. "Afghans in the United States are hardworking, tax-paying members of society," he told the BBC, adding that many remain "grateful to America for the evacuation efforts during the crisis in Kabul."

Others echoed the sentiment, with one resident calling the shooting "really shocking" and stressing it should not "be counted for the whole community." Crystal Bayat, an Afghan human rights activist who resettled in the US after 2021, warned against collective punishment: "It is very dangerous to punish entire immigrant communities, or the people who stood shoulder to shoulder with the [American] people." She also voiced fears of policy reversals, noting, "I have a fear every single day that what if the policy changes and they deport us from here?"

Political fallout: Trump's immigration crackdown

In response to the shooting, President Trump halted processing of all Afghan immigration applications and suspended decisions on asylum claims. His administration also announced a review of green cards issued to nationals from 19 unspecified countries, framing the measures as part of a broader crackdown on migration from "third-world countries."

The Afghan Community Coalition of the United States urged a "comprehensive investigation" while cautioning against delays or suspensions of Afghan immigration claims. Their statement highlighted the "twenty years of Afghan-US partnership" following the 2001 intervention to oust the Taliban, warning that the collaboration "must not be forgotten."

"Supplies have stabilized, but conservation remains essential."

Afghan Community Coalition of the United States

Broader implications for Afghan migrants

The shooting has amplified uncertainty among Afghan immigrants, many of whom fled Taliban rule under US evacuation programs. One Afghan man told the BBC the political reaction had left migrants "in a state of uncertainty," compounded by ongoing threats in their home country. "For us Afghans there's problem for us in Afghanistan as well as here," he said.

Analysts note that thousands of Afghans-including translators, military aides, and civil society figures-relocated to the US after 2021, fearing retaliation from the Taliban. The suspension of immigration processing now risks stranding others still seeking refuge, advocates say.