• The US has suspended all immigration requests for Afghan nationals due to a shooting incident near the White House.
• The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the country in 2021.
• Former President Donald Trump called for a review of Afghan immigration policies following the shooting.
• The decision aims to enhance security and vetting protocols for Afghan immigrants.
• The two injured National Guard members are in critical condition after the attack.

The United States has announced an indefinite halt to all immigration processing for Afghan nationals after a shooting incident that critically injured two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that this pause in processing is effective immediately, pending further review of security protocols. In a statement, the agency emphasized that the "protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission," according to Indiatimes and AA.

The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a program designed to aid Afghan evacuees following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Reports indicate that Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national residing in Washington state, remains in custody as authorities continue to investigate his background and the motive for the attack. The incident raised immediate concerns about the security vetting of Afghan nationals entering the United States, according to CBS News and BBC.

Former President Donald Trump condemned the shooting, labeling it "an act of terror," and stressed the need to reevaluate immigration policies regarding Afghan nationals. He called for rigorous checks on all individuals who entered the country from Afghanistan under the Biden administration. In Trump’s words, “We must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country,” as stated in Indiatimes, BBC, and AA.