Ask Onix
US suspends Afghan immigration requests after National Guard attack
The United States has halted all immigration processing for Afghans following a shooting near the White House that left two National Guard soldiers critically wounded, officials confirmed Thursday. The suspect, identified as a 29-year-old Afghan national, allegedly opened fire during a high-visibility patrol in downtown Washington, DC, on Wednesday afternoon.
Shooting details and suspect background
The attack occurred at approximately 14:15 EST (17:15 GMT) near Farragut Square Metro Station, a busy area frequented by office workers during lunchtime. Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll described the incident as an "ambush," stating the suspect "came around the corner" and "immediately started firing." Nearby National Guard members intervened, restraining the gunman until police arrived.
Law enforcement sources told CBS the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakamal, was shot four times during the confrontation. Authorities confirmed he entered the U.S. in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program for Afghan evacuees following the 2021 withdrawal. His asylum application, filed in 2024, was approved earlier this year, according to officials speaking to the BBC's U.S. partner.
"The soldiers were ambushed-this was a deliberate act of violence against those protecting our capital."
Metropolitan Police Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll
Government response and policy shifts
President Donald Trump labeled the attack an "act of terror" and vowed to "remove foreigners from any country who do not belong here." The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a pause in processing Afghan immigration requests pending a "review of security and vetting protocols."
Trump further ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy an additional 500 National Guard members to Washington, bringing the total to nearly 2,200. The troops, deployed since August to address what Trump called "out-of-control" crime, operate in a limited capacity-they cannot enforce laws or make arrests but provide high-visibility patrols.
The president had previously imposed a travel ban on Afghan nationals-alongside 11 other countries-earlier this year, with exceptions only for Special Immigration Visa holders who had assisted U.S. military operations. His administration also terminated a temporary protected status program that had shielded thousands of Afghans from deportation, citing improved conditions in Afghanistan.
Witness accounts and broader context
Eyewitnesses described chaos as gunfire erupted. One bystander recounted hearing shots and seeing people flee into nearby shops for cover. Another captured footage of the two injured soldiers receiving medical attention on the pavement, alongside the suspect, who was also being treated.
The attack reignites debates over Afghan resettlement policies. Tens of thousands of Afghans entered the U.S. under special protections after the 2021 withdrawal, which saw the Taliban regain control of the country. Critics argue the vetting process for these programs has been insufficient, while advocates warn against collective punishment for the actions of one individual.
Next steps and investigations
The FBI and Metropolitan Police are leading a joint investigation into the shooting. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, though Carroll noted the attack appeared "premeditated." The Pentagon confirmed the injured soldiers remain in critical but stable condition at a local hospital.
Trump's call to "re-examine every single alien" from Afghanistan who entered under the Biden administration suggests broader policy changes may follow. Legal challenges are expected, particularly from Democratic-led cities where similar National Guard deployments have faced opposition over concerns of federal overreach.
