BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — The Trump administration has enacted a halt on all asylum decisions and has paused the issuance of visas for individuals traveling on Afghan passports. This decision comes in response to a tragic National Guard shooting in Washington, D.C., which left Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, dead, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, critically injured. The suspect in this tragic incident, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is facing serious charges, including first-degree murder, as the investigation aims to uncover the motive behind the attack.
Lakanwal, an Afghan national residing in Bellingham, Washington, had a history of working with the CIA during the Afghanistan War. He had previously applied for asylum during the Biden administration and was granted it in 2023 under the Trump administration, according to a resettlement assistance group for Afghan allies. This situation exemplifies the complexities surrounding immigration policies in the U.S. as political narratives shift in the wake of violence.
The Republican administration's recent measures aim to pause immigration from certain impoverished nations, conducting thorough reviews of Afghans and other legal migrants already present in the country. Following the shooting incident, Trump labeled it a “terrorist attack” and criticized the Biden administration for allowing entry to Afghans who aided U.S. forces, further intensifying the conversation surrounding national security and immigration.
In conjunction with these developments, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow announced that asylum decisions would be on pause until comprehensive vetting measures could be guaranteed for every individual entering the country. Experts note that the U.S. already has extensive systems in place for conducting background checks on asylum seekers, although claims have long faced backlogs that critics argue intensified under the Trump administration.
In a parallel move, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the issuance of visas for all individuals traveling on Afghan passports has been suspended. Shawn VanDiver, president of the organization #AfghanEvac, criticized this action, arguing it unfairly punishes an entire community for the actions of one individual and undermines the sacrifices of veterans who served alongside them.
Details about the Suspect
Rahmanullah Lakanwal lived in Bellingham with his wife and five children. According to neighbors, he was quiet and polite, with limited English proficiency, and had been struggling to find work before he seemingly vanished two weeks prior to the shooting. The local mosque, which he attended, condemned the violence and emphasized their sorrow for the victims and the impacted community, clarifying that the actions of one do not reflect the views of the broader Muslim community.
Investigative efforts concerning Lakanwal have led to warrants being executed in Washington State and beyond. He entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a program initiated by the Biden administration aimed at resettling Afghans following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lakanwal, who served in a CIA-backed Afghan Army unit adopted the work of a security guard advancing to a team leader and GPS specialist over time, further complicating the narrative of an individual once viewed as an ally.
Remembering the Victims
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was remembered for her leadership and dedication, having enlisted in the West Virginia National Guard after completing high school. Beckstrom was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company and volunteered for deployment to Washington, D.C. A moment of silence was held for her and Staff Sgt. Wolfe during a West Virginia University football game, underscoring the prevailing sense of loss within the community.
Increased Security Measures
In light of the shooting, the administration has ordered an additional 500 National Guard members to the nation's capital, with several governors supportive of the operation. Current deployments of troops are part of a joint task force that has been active since August, reflecting ongoing concerns about security and order in the area in response to recent events.
This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the tragic shooting incident, the ensuing political ramifications regarding immigration policies, and the personal backgrounds of those involved.
