The Trump administration has ordered an immediate, indefinite halt to all immigration processing for Afghan nationals following a violent attack on two National Guard members in the nation’s capital on Wednesday.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the freeze Wednesday night, mere hours after authorities say an Afghan parolee shot two West Virginia National Guardsmen in the head at a D.C. metro station.
“Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols,” USCIS stated. The agency, which oversees the nation’s legal immigration system, emphasized that the safety of the American people remains its “singular focus.”
READ: From Kabul To The Capital: Guardsmen Shooting Suspect Cleared Vetting Under 2 Presidents
The violence erupted shortly before 3 p.m. near 17th and I Street NW. Emergency responders, including a helicopter that landed on the National Mall, rushed the two service members to the hospital where they remain in critical condition.
Law enforcement identified the alleged shooter as Rahmanullah Lakanwal. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Lakanwal is an Afghan national who entered the United States under the “Operation Allies Welcome” parole program established by the Biden administration in 2021. Witnesses reported the suspect shouted “Allahu akbar!” before opening fire with a revolver, and investigators are treating the incident as a targeted attack.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a blistering statement confirming the suspect’s immigration status and criticizing previous vetting procedures.
“The suspect who shot our brave National Guardsmen is an Afghan national who was one of the many unvetted, mass paroled into the United States… under the Biden Administration,” Noem said. She defended the National Guard members as carrying out basic public safety duties and condemned politicians and media outlets she claimed have vilified uniformed service members.
READ: Terror Probe Underway: Afghan National ID’d As Gunman In Ambush Near White House
The shooting comes amid heightened federal control over security in the District. President Donald Trump previously announced a federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department to combat rising crime, a move that followed the severe injury of a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer during an attempted carjacking earlier this year.
The suspension of processing for Afghan nationals remains in effect until further notice.
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