UPDATE: That shooting incident on November 26, 2023, has sparked a dramatic increase in the arrests of Afghan nationals across the United States. Following the tragic shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., immigration lawyers report a surge in detentions, leaving Afghan communities feeling more vulnerable than ever.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ramped up operations, arresting Afghans who were previously compliant with U.S. immigration processes. The crackdown follows the shooting by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national granted asylum earlier this year. One soldier, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, tragically lost her life, while Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe continues his recovery.
The implications of this situation are profound. The attack has led to a suspension of Afghan immigration processing by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), impacting thousands of Afghans who risked their lives in support of U.S. forces. This abrupt policy shift has left many advocates warning that allies may now be stranded without the protection they desperately need.
Recent reports indicate that approximately two dozen Afghans have been arrested since the D.C. shooting, with many detentions occurring in Sacramento, California, home to one of the largest Afghan communities in the U.S. Volunteers monitoring ICE activities reported at least nine arrests in a federal building last week, following early morning check-in calls received by those detained.
Notably, many of those arrested had sought asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border in the past two years and had consistently attended required appointments. One family, fleeing Taliban threats due to military ties, experienced this firsthand when a husband was detained at an ICE office while his wife and children awaited their fate.
The recent escalation in arrests has raised alarms about the government’s approach to Afghan nationals, especially as the Biden administration has paused new asylum applications and tightened vetting processes. Advocacy groups emphasize that many of these individuals have no criminal history and possess valid asylum claims.
In light of the rising tensions, Vice President JD Vance took to X, stating, “The Biden administration created one of the worst national security crises in American history.” Meanwhile, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem criticized the administration for allowing nearly 190,000 unvetted Afghan nationals into the U.S., emphasizing the need for stricter immigration controls.
As the legal proceedings against Lakanwal unfold—who has pleaded not guilty to murder and assault charges—the political fallout continues to reshape policies regarding Afghan immigrants. The Trump administration is conducting a government-wide review of Afghan admissions under Biden and is contemplating deportation of the suspect’s family, alongside broader migration restrictions from certain countries.
The urgency surrounding this situation cannot be overstated. As arrests continue, pressure mounts on the Biden administration to clarify its stance and ensure that efforts to enhance national security do not infringe upon the rights and safety of those who believed they had found refuge in the United States.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
