Afghan Shooting Near White House Sparks Immigration Pause

A shocking shooting near the White House left one National Guard member dead and another critically injured, triggering an immediate pause on Afghan visas and asylum approvals.

The suspect, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, previously worked with the CIA-backed Afghan Army during the war and had been granted asylum this year. Authorities said he faces charges including first-degree murder and assault with intent to kill.

Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died in the attack, while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains hospitalized in critical condition. Both were part of the West Virginia National Guard deployed in the city.

In response to the shooting, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that all asylum decisions will be temporarily halted “until we can ensure that every applicant is thoroughly vetted.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that visa issuance for all Afghan passport holders has been paused.

Neighbors describe Lakanwal as quiet and polite, though he struggled to find work. He briefly worked for Amazon Flex this summer. Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021 through the Biden administration’s Afghan resettlement program and was later granted asylum under the Trump administration.

Beckstrom, who enlisted in 2023 after high school, was praised for her dedication and leadership. Her unit described her as a committed military police officer who volunteered for the deployment to D.C.

The incident has reignited debates over immigration policies, vetting procedures, and the safety of military personnel deployed domestically, as officials continue investigating Lakanwal’s motives.