Trump halts Afghan immigration after terror watchlist suspect attacks National Guard, exposes Biden’s failed vetting in Operation Allies Welcome
- Following a violent attack in Washington, D.C., by an Afghan national, the Trump administration indefinitely halted all immigration from Afghanistan, citing national security concerns.
- The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly shot two National Guard members near the White House and entered the U.S. through Biden’s 2021 Afghan evacuation program, raising alarms over lax vetting.
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem condemned the former administration’s “reckless” parole program, while Trump accused Biden of creating a “disastrous” policy that endangered Americans.
- The attack reignited debates over U.S. refugee vetting, with leaked DHS memos revealing plans to re-interview 200,000 refugees admitted under prior policies—potentially revoking protections if inconsistencies are found.
- While Trump’s order tightens border security, critics argue it scapegoats refugees. The incident underscores the ongoing tension between national security and humanitarian immigration policies.
The Trump administration suspended all immigration from Afghanistan indefinitely on Wednesday night, Nov. 26, following a violent attack in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan national allegedly shot two National Guard members near the White House.
The decision underscores growing concerns over vetting failures in U.S. refugee programs, particularly after the Biden administration’s rapid evacuation of Afghan allies in 2021. Homeland Security officials confirmed the suspect entered the country through Operation Allies Welcome, raising urgent questions about national security protocols.
Just before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, chaos erupted near 17th and I Street NW when Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, allegedly ambushed two West Virginia National Guard members, shouting “Allahu akbar!” before opening fire.
One of his victims died, while the other remains in critical condition. Meanwhile, Lakanwal – shot during the confrontation – is hospitalized under guard.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem swiftly linked the attack to what she called the Biden administration’s “reckless” 2021 parole program, which admitted tens of thousands of Afghans with minimal vetting.
“The suspect was one of the many unvetted, mass-paroled into the United States,” Noem stated, condemning the “act of cowardice” against service members. Hours later, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an immediate freeze on all Afghan immigration cases, citing the need for “further review of security and vetting protocols.”
President Donald Trump, speaking from Mar-a-Lago, accused his predecessor of creating a “disastrous” policy. “We warned about this,” he said. “Now innocent Americans are paying the price.”
Per BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome was a poorly vetted program that expedited the entry of potentially dangerous individuals from Afghanistan into the U.S., including dozens flagged as “armed and dangerous” on terrorist watchlists, compromising national security.
Broader security concerns and policy shifts
The shooting has reignited debates over U.S. refugee resettlement programs, particularly Operation Allies Welcome, which evacuated over 76,000 Afghans after the Taliban’s 2021 takeover. Critics argue that rushed processing left gaps in background checks—a concern Trump highlighted long before the attack.
A leaked DHS memo obtained by The Hill revealed that the administration had already ordered the “re-interview” of 200,000 refugees admitted under prior policies, questioning whether they met legal refugee criteria. The memo warned that protections could be revoked if inconsistencies were found.
Vice President JD Vance amplified these concerns on social media, recalling his 2021 warnings about unvetted arrivals.
“Friends called me a racist,” he posted. “It was a clarifying moment. They shouldn’t have been in our country.”
A pattern of security failures
The incident echoes long-standing tensions over immigration and national security, dating back to post-9/11 reforms. Despite billions spent on intelligence and screening, high-profile lapses—such as the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooter’s immigration history—have repeatedly exposed vulnerabilities.
Trump’s latest order marks a dramatic escalation of his border-security agenda, which previously included travel bans targeting majority-Muslim nations. While supporters argue that stricter controls are necessary, immigrant advocates warn against blanket policies.
“This isn’t about security—it’s about scapegoating,” said Layla Ahmad of the Refugee Council USA. “Most Afghan refugees are allies who risked their lives for America.”
As investigators piece together Lakanwal’s motives, the Trump administration’s immigration freeze signals a hardening stance toward refugee programs. With nearly 200,000 Afghans now in the U.S., the policy shift could have far-reaching humanitarian and diplomatic consequences. For the wounded Guardsmen and their families, however, the focus remains on justice.
“The suspect will pay the steepest possible price,” Trump vowed.
Meanwhile, the debate over how to balance security and compassion—a defining challenge of modern immigration policy—grows ever more urgent.
Watch the video below where a boy from Memphis thanks Trump for deploying National Guard troops.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
Sources include:
YourNews.com
X.com
TheHill.com
BrightU.ai
Brighteon.com
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