President Donald Trump has ordered a review of all Afghan immigrants admitted to the United States during President Joe Biden's four-year term. This directive, issued on 26/11, follows a shooting near the White House where an Afghan-origin individual injured two National Guard soldiers. The FBI is investigating the incident as a terrorist act. Trump stated, "we must deport any foreigner who does not belong or benefit our country."

The shooting involved Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan-origin citizen. He opened fire on two US National Guard soldiers while they were on duty. A National Guard soldier seriously wounded Lakanwal after the attack. The motive behind the ambush remains unclear.

President Donald Trump on Air Force One on 25/11. Photo: AP

Lakanwal arrived in the US in September 2021, one month after the Taliban took control of Kabul and seized power in Afghanistan. According to NBC News, citing a relative of the suspect and US law enforcement officials, Lakanwal had served in the Afghan army and assisted US special forces in fighting the Taliban. Fox News further reported, citing CIA Director John Ratcliffe, that Lakanwal had worked with several US government agencies, including intelligence forces.

Despite Lakanwal reportedly receiving asylum approval from the Trump administration in April, President Trump reiterated his firm stance: "if they cannot love our country, we do not need them."

In response to the incident, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced later on 26/11 that it would halt processing all immigration requests related to Afghan citizens. The agency affirmed its commitment, stating that "protecting the safety of the country and the American people remains our sole focus and mission."

Ngoc Anh (According to Hill, AP, CNN)