Immigration Processing for Afghan Nationals Halted Indefinitely in Wake of Deadly D.C. Ambush

Washington, D.C. – November 26, 2025In a dramatic escalation of national security measures, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced Wednesday evening an immediate and indefinite suspension of all immigration requests related to Afghan nationals, just hours after a shocking ambush left two National Guard members critically wounded near the White House. The move, decried by critics as a blanket policy shift targeting an entire community, comes amid revelations that the alleged shooter is a 29-year-old Afghan refugee who entered the country under a Biden-era evacuation program.

The attack unfolded around 3 p.m. ET on a crisp autumn afternoon in downtown Washington, transforming the shadow of the executive mansion into a chaotic crime scene. Two servicemembers from the West Virginia National Guard—identified by sources as Sgt. Emily Hargrove and Cpl. Marcus Hale—were gunned down in what authorities described as a "targeted" assault outside a Metro station on Pennsylvania Avenue. Both victims, who were part of a broader National Guard deployment bolstering security in the capital, remain in critical condition at George Washington University Hospital, where surgeons are battling to stabilize their injuries from close-range gunshot wounds.

The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was swiftly apprehended after a third Guard member returned fire, striking him in the leg and ending the confrontation. Lakanwal, who sources say shouted anti-American slogans during the incident, was taken into custody without further violence. Federal investigators, treating the shooting as a potential act of terrorism, confirmed he had entered the United States in September 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome—a humanitarian effort that airlifted tens of thousands of Afghans following the Taliban's lightning seizure of Kabul and the U.S. military's withdrawal.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, in a pointed social media post, attributed Lakanwal's entry to "mass parole" under the prior administration, fueling immediate backlash from immigrant rights advocates.As the sun set over the cordoned-off streets, where yellow police tape fluttered amid holiday shoppers, USCIS issued its stark directive via X (formerly Twitter): "Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols."

The pause affects a wide array of applications, from asylum claims and family reunifications to special immigrant visas for Afghan allies who aided U.S. forces during two decades of war. Advocacy groups like the International Refugee Assistance Project warned that the policy could strand thousands in limbo, exacerbating the trauma of those who fled Taliban persecution. "This is not justice—it's isolation," said Nooria Noor, executive director of Afghan Americans United, in a statement condemning the shooting while pleading against collective punishment.

President Donald J. Trump, vacationing at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday, seized on the tragedy in a fiery video address broadcast from the resort's gilded halls. "This was a monstrous, ambush-style attack—a heinous assault on our brave warriors, carried out at point-blank range just steps from the White House," Trump declared, his voice booming with indignation. Labeling Afghanistan a "hellhole on earth," he lambasted the Biden administration for "flying in" Lakanwal and vowed a sweeping reexamination of every Afghan migrant admitted since 2021. "We will deport the threats, root out the dangers, and make America safe again," Trump added, drawing applause from supporters gathered poolside.

The president's remarks echoed a broader hardening of immigration enforcement since his return to the Oval Office earlier this year, including an August emergency order that federalized D.C. policing and deployed Guard units from eight states to patrol the city amid rising tensions over border policies. Internal memos leaked to CNN earlier this week revealed that the administration was already gearing up to re-interview Afghan evacuees, a process now accelerated into overdrive by Wednesday's violence.

Bipartisan voices of condolence poured in as the nation braced for Thanksgiving amid grief. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden issued statements expressing prayers for the wounded Guardsmen and their families. "Violence has no place in America," Obama wrote on X, adding a poignant nod to the holiday's themes of gratitude and unity. Biden, whose administration oversaw the Afghan airlift, refrained from direct comment on the policy shift but reiterated his commitment to "honoring our Afghan allies."

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice initially reported the worst, tweeting that the two Guardsmen had succumbed to their injuries—a claim swiftly walked back amid "conflicting reports" from medical teams. By evening, Justice confirmed they were fighting for their lives, crediting the rapid response of fellow troops for preventing further casualties.

As forensic teams combed the scene—recovering a handgun believed used in the attack—the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force vowed a thorough probe into Lakanwal's motives and possible accomplices. No prior red flags were immediately apparent in his background, though sources noted he had struggled with employment since resettling in Virginia.

The incident, unfolding on the eve of a holiday meant for reflection, has ignited fierce debate: a stark reminder of the scars left by America's longest war, now bleeding into its streets.The White House has scheduled a briefing for Thursday morning, where officials are expected to elaborate on the immigration freeze and outline enhanced vetting procedures. For now, in the capital's chill, the echoes of gunfire serve as a grim prelude to turkey and thanks—underscoring a divided nation's unresolved reckonings. 17GEN4.com