An Indefinite Suspension

The United States government has indefinitely suspended the processing of all immigration applications from Afghan nationals following a shooting near the White House on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the decision, stating it was necessary to conduct a thorough review of security and vetting protocols. The agency emphasized that its primary focus is the safety and protection of the American homeland.

Details of the Incident

The move came hours after two National Guard soldiers were critically injured in what officials described as a targeted, ambush-style shooting near the Farragut West metro station in Washington D.C. The suspect, identified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021. Lakanwal was also wounded during the exchange of gunfire and is currently in custody.

According to reports, Lakanwal arrived in the United States under "Operation Allies Welcome," a program initiated by the Biden administration to evacuate and resettle tens of thousands of Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. He reportedly served in the Afghan army for a decade, working alongside U.S. Special Forces. Law enforcement sources indicated he was granted asylum in 2024.

Political Reaction and Policy Implications

In a video address following the incident, U.S. President Donald Trump labeled the shooting an "act of terror" and a "heinous assault." He announced that his administration would re-examine the case of every individual who entered the U.S. from Afghanistan under the previous administration and take measures to remove anyone who is not deemed to "add benefit to our country." President Trump also ordered an additional 500 National Guard troops to be deployed to the capital.

The suspension of immigration processing affects all Afghan nationals seeking asylum, green cards, or other immigration statuses in the U.S. The "Operation Allies Welcome" program, under which Lakanwal entered the country, involved a multi-layered screening and vetting process conducted by various intelligence and law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the National Counterterrorism Center. However, a September 2022 report from the DHS Office of Inspector General noted that the agency had "encountered obstacles to screen, vet, and inspect all Afghan evacuees" during the 2021 withdrawal.

Global and Regional Context

While there are no direct ties between this incident and Kenya, the sudden shift in U.S. immigration policy could have broader implications for refugee and asylum seekers globally, including those in the East Africa region. Kenya hosts a significant number of refugees and asylum seekers, with the U.S. being a primary destination for resettlement. In 2024, 2,354 refugees were resettled from Kenya to the United States, according to the UNHCR. Changes in U.S. policy can affect these pathways and place additional strain on host countries.

Advocacy groups have expressed concern over the decision, urging against the demonization of the entire Afghan community for the actions of one individual. They highlight that Afghan immigrants undergo some of the most extensive security vetting of any population entering the U.S. The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) has previously criticized abrupt changes to U.S. refugee policy, stating they renounce the country's commitment to humanitarian protection. The long-term impact of this suspension on U.S. foreign relations and its role in international humanitarian efforts remains to be seen.