Afghan community leaders in the United States have condemned the deadly shooting in Washington DC, calling the incident “deeply tragic” while urging the government not to punish the broader Afghan community for the actions of one individual.
The shooting, which occurred on Wednesday, claimed the life of 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom and left 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe in critical condition. The alleged gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, was granted entry to the United States under a special immigration program that provided protection to Afghans who worked alongside the US during its military operations in Afghanistan.
Lakanwal moved to the US four years ago after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. According to reports, he had worked with US forces at Kabul airport during the chaotic evacuation in 2021.
Afghan Community Condemns the Attack
In response to the tragic event, the Afghan Community Coalition of the United States expressed their condolences to the victims’ families and stressed that Lakanwal’s actions were not representative of the Afghan community. They called for a comprehensive investigation into the shooting but urged the US government to avoid halting Afghan immigration requests.
“Twenty years of Afghan-US partnership must not be forgotten,” the coalition said in a statement, referring to the longstanding cooperation between the two nations, particularly during the US-led efforts to overthrow the Taliban in 2001 and the subsequent rebuilding of Afghanistan.
Trump Responds with Immigration Review
Following the shooting, US President Donald Trump announced a suspension of all immigration requests from Afghanistan and ordered a review of green card issuances from 19 countries, citing the attack as a reason for his actions. He also threatened to implement a broader crackdown on migrants from what he referred to as “third-world countries.”
Many Afghans living in the US voiced their shock and disappointment over the political reaction, which they felt unjustly targeted them as a community. One Afghan resident, who moved to the US after the withdrawal, said the shooting was an isolated criminal act that should not reflect on the entire Afghan population.
Personal Impact on Afghan Immigrants
Afghans in the US shared their horror and confusion over the political fallout, particularly as the timing coincided with the Thanksgiving holiday and the growing political tension in Washington DC. One Afghan immigrant emphasized that “Afghans in the United States are hardworking, tax-paying members of society” and expressed gratitude for the evacuation efforts that allowed them to escape the turmoil in Afghanistan.
Another Afghan man, who also moved to the US following the 2021 withdrawal, described the situation as “really shocking” and said he was praying for the victims’ families. He reiterated that the shooting was an isolated incident and should not be attributed to the Afghan community at large.
Tensions and Uncertainty Amid Immigration Review
Many Afghan immigrants expressed concern about the broader implications of Trump’s immigration review, especially those still awaiting asylum. The uncertainty surrounding the future of Afghan immigration has left many feeling uneasy, as one individual noted, “It’s really bad for everyone that the Trump administration wants to re-evaluate the process of immigration. It’s time-consuming and no one knows what will happen.”
With rising tensions in Afghanistan, many Afghans living in the US are facing difficulties both in their country of origin and in their new home. As the political landscape shifts, the Afghan community remains uncertain about their future in the United States.
