A deadly shooting targeting National Guard members in Washington D.C. has ignited a fierce political firestorm over America's asylum system, placing the blame game squarely at the centre of a national security debate.

The controversy exploded after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed the suspect, an Afghan national, was “radicalized” after arriving in the United States. In a Sunday interview on NBC's Meet the Press, Noem pointed to vetting failures by the Biden administration, despite the fact that the suspect’s asylum was approved in April 2025, under the Trump administration.

The suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal. He entered the U.S. in September 2021 under 'Operation Allies Welcome,' a program designed to resettle Afghans who assisted U.S. forces, including some who worked with CIA-backed units.

“We believe he was radicalized since he’s been here in this country,” Noem stated, adding that investigators were looking into his connections within his community.

Political Fallout and Asylum Freeze

The Trump administration has seized on the incident to justify a sweeping crackdown on immigration. President Trump announced a halt to all asylum decisions and a pause on visas for Afghan passport holders. “No time limit, but it could be a long time,” Trump told reporters, emphasizing, “We have enough problems. We don’t want those people.”

This move has drawn sharp criticism, but Noem defended the administration's stance, alleging that the vetting process “was completely abandoned under Joe Biden’s administration.” This assertion stands in direct contrast to records showing Lakanwal's asylum was granted during Trump's term.

For many in Kenya, which has hosted asylum seekers from conflict zones for decades, the rapid politicization of the Washington shooting offers a familiar echo. It underscores how security incidents can be swiftly leveraged to influence national immigration policy, a debate that continues to shape communities across East Africa.

The situation highlights the complex challenge facing nations that resettle individuals from conflict zones—balancing national security with humanitarian obligations. While details on Lakanwal's motive remain under investigation, the political fallout is already clear.

With the White House vowing to re-examine the files of every Afghan who entered the U.S. under the resettlement program, the incident sets the stage for a contentious debate on security and immigration, placing the fate of thousands of asylum seekers in a precarious balance.