On November 26, 2025, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, allegedly shot two members of the West Virginia National Guard in Washington, D.C. Lakanwal entered the United States on September 8, 2021, under Operation Allies Welcome, a program designed to facilitate the entry of Afghan nationals who had worked with U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the vetting processes for immigrants, particularly those from conflict zones.

Following the shooting, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a review of asylum cases approved during President Joe Biden's administration, as well as Green Cards issued to citizens from 19 countries. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a temporary suspension of all immigration requests related to Afghan nationals pending further evaluation. Critics, including Trump administration officials, have attributed the incident to alleged failures in the vetting process, claiming that Lakanwal was allowed entry without adequate background checks. However, specific evidence supporting these claims has not been provided.

Lakanwal had previously collaborated with the CIA in Afghanistan and had no known criminal history. He applied for asylum in December 2024, which was approved in April 2025. The Operation Allies Welcome program allowed over 70,000 Afghan nationals to enter the U.S., with established vetting procedures involving U.S. counter-terrorism and intelligence agencies. Nonetheless, the rapid nature of the evacuations has raised questions about the thoroughness of these checks.

The incident has sparked renewed criticism of U.S. immigration policies and the implications of military engagements abroad. Advocacy groups have urged against generalizing the actions of one individual to the broader Afghan community, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by many Afghans seeking refuge. The shooting has also led to discussions about the balance between national security and humanitarian considerations in immigration policy, highlighting the complexities of addressing extremism while ensuring equitable treatment of migrants.