‘Dangerous Afghans Let In By Biden’, Says White House As US Halts Immigration After DC Shooting

Last Updated:December 02, 2025, 07:17 IST

The US has halted Afghan immigration after a DC shooting involving an Afghan national, prompting renewed scrutiny of Biden-era vetting.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (IMAGE: REUTERS)

The Biden administration is facing renewed scrutiny over its vetting procedures after an Afghan national accused in last week’s shooting near the White House was found to have entered the United States under Operation Allies Welcome. 

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who allegedly ambushed two National Guard members in Washington DC, arrived in 2021 through the programme designed to resettle Afghans who assisted American forces during the war. More than 70,000 Afghans have been brought into the country under this initiative.

The attack left National Guardswoman Sarah Beckstrom dead and Guardsman Andrew Wolfe critically injured, prompting fierce criticism from the White House’s political opponents and triggering an immediate review of national security protocols.

White House flags multiple incidents involving Afghan nationals

US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that Lakanwal’s case was not an isolated failure, alleging that “several Afghan terrorists" had entered the country under the Biden administration. She cited previous incidents involving Afghan nationals, including a police officer in Virginia who was shot dead, and cases where migrants were found carrying arms and ammunition.

Leavitt also pointed to the charging of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi and Abdullah Haji Zada, accused of participating in an ISIS-inspired plot aimed at disrupting the 2024 elections in Oklahoma City. She argued these cases illustrated broader lapses in vetting, saying, “Unfortunately, this is not the only example of a dangerous Afghan who was let in by Joe Biden."

Homeland security data shows thousands flagged

Concerns escalated further following the publication of Department of Homeland Security data indicating that more than 5,000 Afghans admitted under Operation Allies Welcome had triggered national security alerts. Of the 6,868 individuals flagged for “potential derogatory information", 5,005 raised national security concerns, 956 raised public safety concerns and 876 were linked to possible fraud.

While many of these red flags have since been resolved, 885 individuals remained under scrutiny as of September, leaving what officials described as a “residual threat".

US suspends Afghan immigration processing

In response to the Washington shooting, President Donald Trump ordered a comprehensive review of security and vetting procedures for migrants from 19 “high-risk" countries, as well as for all asylum cases approved by the Biden administration. Republican leaders claim the attack exposes systemic failures in the government’s approach to immigration and national security.

Amid the escalating controversy, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a temporary suspension of all immigration requests from Afghan nationals. The agency said the pause would remain in place while authorities reassess vetting protocols.

The suspension marks a significant reversal for Operation Allies Welcome, a programme once viewed as a humanitarian commitment following the fall of Kabul.

About the Author

Shuddhanta Patra

Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen...Read More

News world ‘Dangerous Afghans Let In By Biden’, Says White House As US Halts Immigration After DC Shooting

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