The Republican administration of the United States announced the comprehensive reevaluation of work permits for 19 countries
Following the attack, the government also announced the immediate and indefinite suspension of the processing of immigration applications related to Afghan citizens, until a reassessment of security and vetting protocols is completed. Officials stated that the measure is preventive and seeks to prevent similar failures from again putting U.S. personnel at risk.
The administration of President Donald Trump announced a "large-scale and rigorous" review of all permanent resident card holders from countries classified as "of concern", following the attack that claimed the life of a National Guard member and left another soldier seriously injured. The measure seeks to strengthen security protocols and correct failures detected in the admission processes applied in recent years.
Joseph Edlow, director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), reported that the president personally requested this review, which will cover immigrants from at least 19 countries previously included in an executive order issued in June.
The list includes Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, and other territories with high levels of instability or presence of extremist groups. According to Edlow, the goal is to ensure that all permanent residents have been evaluated under solid and up-to-date security standards.
The announcement comes days after Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29 years old, cowardly attacked two National Guard members near a federal facility in the nation's capital. Beckstrom, 20 years old, died from the injuries, while Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition. Lakanwal was injured when one of the guards replied to the attack.
Lakanwal entered the United States in 2021 as part of the "Operation Allies Welcome" program, created after the withdrawal from Afghanistan during Biden's disastrous Democratic administration. More than 190,000 Afghans were relocated under that plan.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, confirmed that the case will evolve into murder charges, while Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated that the Department of Justice will seek the death penalty. Lakanwal currently faces charges of assault with intent to kill and illegal possession of weapons.
President Trump stated that his team is also evaluating the immigration status of the suspect's family, who reside in the state of Washington. "We are examining the entire case. It is a tragic situation," he told the press.
The administration keeps that these actions are necessary to restore confidence in the immigration system and strengthen the country's protection against possible threats arising from admission processes considered insufficient by the current government.
