The United States has suspended all immigration requests from Afghan nationals after two National Guardsmen were shot near the White House in what President Donald Trump called an “act of terror.”
The suspect, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was identified as the gunman who ambushed the soldiers on Wednesday afternoon. Lakanwal had been living in Washington state and had no known criminal history. He arrived in the U.S. in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a Biden-era program that resettled Afghans who assisted U.S. forces during the war.
Following the attack, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced an indefinite halt to Afghan immigration processing, citing a review of “security and vetting protocols.” The move aligns with Trump’s call to reassess Afghan immigrants who entered during Joe Biden’s presidency.
“The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus,” the agency said on X.
The shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m. near 17th and I streets, only blocks from the White House. The two wounded soldiers from the West Virginia National Guard remain in critical condition. Authorities say Lakanwal “ambushed” the troops before other Guardsmen returned fire and subdued him.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said the attack appeared to be targeted, and officials believe the suspect acted alone. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
Trump condemned the attack as “an act of evil, hatred, and terror,” saying the suspect “should never have been allowed to come here.” CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the administration will also review asylum cases approved under Biden, accusing the previous government of failing to properly vet Afghan applicants.
Later, U.S. officials confirmed Lakanwal had previously worked with CIA-backed military units during operations in Afghanistan.
In response to the attack, the president has deployed an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.
