Afghan Evacuee Shooting Sparks U.S. Immigration Policy Overhaul

In the months and years following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, many Republicans in Congress urged the government to provide refuge to Afghans who assisted American forces during nearly two decades of war. Lawmakers on both parties pressed for expanding the Special Immigrant Visa program, arguing it was a moral obligation to protect Afghan allies who faced retaliation for their work with U.S. troops, diplomats, and contractors.

That bipartisan effort has since stalled following the arrest of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan evacuee charged with shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., shortly before Thanksgiving, killing one and seriously wounding the other. After the shooting, President Donald Trump said the U.S. must reexamine every Afghan who entered the country during the Biden administration, pausing further visa expansion.

Many Republicans who once supported increasing Afghan admissions have since backed Trump’s position, citing security concerns and the need for stricter screening. Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul said the push for more visas had been severely damaged, calling the situation unfortunate, given that many Afghan applicants had fought alongside U.S. forces.

Since 2021, more than 190,000 Afghans have entered the U.S., including recipients of Special Immigrant Visas and others admitted temporarily under parole while seeking asylum or permanent residency. Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of lawmakers sought an additional 20,000 visas, arguing the program included extensive background checks and biometric screening.

Several Republicans said the shooting changed the political and policy landscape. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., said he would defer to the president on how to proceed, while Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., stated the shooting required a fresh review of the process. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, noted the attack underscored the need for stronger vetting while acknowledging the contributions many Afghans made to protecting U.S. troops.

Republicans have also criticized the Biden-era parole program that let Afghans remain temporarily in the country, pointing out that Lakanwal entered under that status before later receiving asylum. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said the administration should pause admissions until the government can confirm the status and well-being of those already admitted. The shift reflects growing Republican support for Trump’s position that immigration programs tied to Afghanistan require tighter oversight and more thorough vetting before any expansion is allowed.