Afghans in the US are “shaken” after the arrest of an immigrant over a shooting near the White House led to a halt on visa claims.
Allies of President Donald Trump said the 29-year-old suspect, who was evacuated from Afghanistan in 2021, could face terrorism charges after two National Guard troops were shot and injured in Washington. The guards remained in a critical condition on Thursday.
The suspect was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal. Mr Trump's administration responded by halting the processing of Afghan visa claims, raising the prospect of a new crackdown on immigration. Supporters blamed former president Joe Biden for allowing “unvetted” Afghans into America after the Taliban took control of Kabul.
Afghans in the US called for calm as the FBI launched a terrorism investigation. Mustafa Babak, a co-founder of the Afghan-American Foundation, said the attack had “shaken” him, the guards and their families, as well as “our Afghan community who now feels new fear and uncertainty”.
“I urge our community to condemn this violence, and all Americans to respond with understanding, not fear,” he said.
US officials identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan citizen.
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