US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) made a major announcement on Wednesday. The move came after officials identified Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, as the gunman in the Washington DC shooting. The 29-year-old shot two National Guard troops only a few blocks from the White House. Security personnel then shot him and took him into custody.

Trump Responds With Strong Words

Soon after authorities named Lakanwal, President Donald Trump issued a sharp statement. He called Afghanistan a “hell hole on earth”. He said, “I can report tonight that based on the best available information, the Department of Homeland Security is confident that the suspect in custody is a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan."

Homeland Security Points to 2021 Parole Program

Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem linked the suspect’s entry to a Biden-era program. She wrote on X that Lakanwal was “mass paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome on September 8, 2021, under the Biden Administration”. Her post immediately intensified debate over the vetting of Afghan evacuees.

USCIS Halts Afghan Immigration Requests

In a swift reaction, USCIS stopped processing all immigration requests from Afghan nationals. The agency announced on X, “Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols. The protections and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and mission.”

Kabul Maintains Silence

Afghanistan has not responded to the immigration freeze. It also has not addressed Trump’s remarks or the reports linking the suspect to US evacuation programs.

Trump Condemns ‘Monstrous’ Attack

Later, Trump condemned the shooting while spending Thanksgiving in Florida. He described the attack as “monstrous”. He said, “Earlier today on the eve of the thanksgiving holiday, two members of the National Guard serving in Washington DC were shot at point blank range in a monstrous, ambush styled attack just steps away from the White House. This heinous assault was an act of evil and an act of hatred and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation, it was a crime against humanity. The hearts of all Americans tonight are with those two members of the West Virginian National Guards and their families.”