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US Halts Afghan Visas After White House Shooting: What We Know

The United States has temporarily stopped issuing visas to Afghan passport holders following a deadly shooting near the White House. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the immediate pause just two days after the attack that left one National Guard soldier dead. The suspected shooter entered the country through a Biden administration refugee program in 2021. Authorities are now investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism while the suspect remains hospitalized.

Key Points: US Pauses Afghan Visa Issuance After National Guard Attack

  • Shooting occurred near White House metro station killing National Guard soldier
  • Suspect entered US through Biden's Operation Allies Welcome program
  • FBI investigating the incident as potential terrorism act
  • Suspect previously worked with CIA and US Special Forces in Afghanistan
2 min read

US halts all visa issuance to Afghan citizens

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces visa suspension for Afghan passport holders following shooting near White House that killed one National Guard soldier.

"President Trump's State Department has paused visa issuance for all individuals travelling on Afghan passports - Secretary of State Marco Rubio"

Washington, Nov 29

The United States has paused Afghan visas, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, two days after a man from Afghanistan shot and killed one National Guard soldier and critically injured another near the White House.

"President (Donald) Trump's State Department has paused visa issuance for all individuals travelling on Afghan passports," Rubio wrote on the social platform X. "The United States has no higher priority than protecting our nation and our people."

"The Department of State has immediately paused visa issuance for individuals travelling on Afghan passports," the agency said in a statement.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the 29-year-old suspected shooter, entered the United States in 2021 under the (Joe) Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome program. He applied for asylum last year, and it was granted earlier this year, reports Xinhua news agency.

Lakanwal was "clean on all checks" before working with the CIA in his home country and again before coming to the United States, local media reported.

The FBI is now investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism.

Lakanwal had previously served alongside US forces in Afghanistan.

According to NBC News, the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, arrived in the United States in September 2021 after spending a decade in the Afghan army, where he supported US Special Forces.

He has been living in Washington state, NBC News reported, citing senior law enforcement sources.

Fox News reported that the suspect worked with various US government entities while in Afghanistan, including the Central Intelligence Agency, as a member of a partner force.

The attack took place at around 14:15 local time (1915 GMT) near the Farragut Square Metro Station, said a statement from Joint Task Force DC, which oversees the National Guard deployments to Washington. The suspect was shot by another Guard member and taken into custody, officials said.

Authorities are still working to confirm all details about the individual, who is currently hospitalised.

int/sd/

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Rohit P
While I understand security concerns, this seems like a knee-jerk reaction. The article says he was "clean on all checks" and even worked with CIA. Maybe the issue is with the vetting process itself rather than banning all Afghans?
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Arjun K
National security should always come first. After what happened, it's better to be safe than sorry. The US has every right to protect its citizens. Hope they resume visas soon with better screening mechanisms.
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Sarah B
As someone who has Afghan colleagues, this breaks my heart. They're some of the most hardworking people I know. This blanket ban will hurt so many families who had nothing to do with this incident.
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Michael C
The timing is interesting - right after the shooting. But the article mentions he came in 2021 under Biden's program. Political blame game aside, the real victims are the ordinary Afghans caught in between. 🇦🇫
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Kavya N
This reminds me of how travel policies often change after one incident. While security is paramount, we need balanced approaches that don't punish entire communities. Hope they review this decision soon with proper due diligence.

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