Source: NewsNation — The Trump administration is currently considering the deportation of the family associated with the individual suspected of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan, allegedly opened fire close to the White House on Wednesday, resulting in one National Guard member’s death and leaving another critically injured.
During an interview with Libbey Dean from NewsNation on Thursday, President Trump was asked about the possible deportation of Lakanwal’s wife and their five children, who are residing in Washington state.
“We’re currently looking into that situation. It’s a tragic thing all around,” Trump responded to Dean.
Get to know: Who is Rahmanullah Lakanwal? Suspect in the DC shooting incident.
Reports indicate that Lakanwal had previously worked with the CIA before making his way to the U.S. in 2021, coming under the program Operation Allies Welcome during Biden’s presidency. He had applied for asylum, which was later granted during Trump’s administration.
The White House has signaled that they will re-evaluate green cards that have been issued to citizens from 19 nations, leading Citizenship and Immigration Services to put a hold on all immigration applications from Afghan nationals.
Joseph Edlow, the director of the agency, noted, “At the instruction of @POTUS, a thorough reexamination of every Green Card for individuals from various countries of concern has been initiated,” which he shared on X.
The suspect in the National Guard shooting faces first-degree murder charges
On Thursday, Trump took to social media to announce his intent to “permanently pause migration from all Third World countries” to allow the immigration system to stabilize. He didn’t specify any countries in his post.
Organizations such as Afghan Evac, which assists in resettling Afghans who aided U.S. military efforts, worry that Afghan allies might face unjust repercussions because of this incident.
Shawn VanDiver, the president of Afghan Evac, expressed concerns on the show “Morning in America,” stating, “We can’t let the actions of one disturbed person taint the perception of an entire group of people.”
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