WASHINGTON, D.C.: Even because the Trump administration this week blamed vetting failures by the Biden-era for the admission of an Afghan immigrant suspected of capturing two Nationwide Guard members in Washington, D.C., a U.S. authorities file seen by Reuters confirmed that the alleged gunman was granted asylum this yr beneath President Donald Trump.
The 29-year-old Afghan nationwide, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the U.S. on September 8, 2021, beneath Operation Allies Welcome.
Addressing a press convention this week, FBI Director Kash Patel and Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Legal professional for the District of Columbia, each Trump appointees, blamed the Biden administration’s background checks or vetting of Lakanwal in 2021 for the insufficient screening.
Nonetheless, they didn’t present any proof to assist their declare.
Patel mentioned Lakanwal had labored with U.S. authorities forces throughout the battle in Afghanistan. Thereafter, beneath Operation Allies Welcome, “the prior administration determined to permit hundreds of individuals into this nation with out doing a single piece of background checking or vetting.”
In keeping with a congressional report, this system that allowed greater than 70,000 Afghan nationals into america included vetting measures carried out by U.S. counterterrorism and intelligence businesses. However as a result of the evacuations have been so vital and hurried, critics argued that the background checks have been insufficient.
Beneath this system, evacuated Afghans acquired a two-year “parole” that allow them reside and work legally within the U.S. and later apply for a extra everlasting standing.
A doc reviewed by Reuters confirmed that Lakanwal utilized for asylum in December 2024 and was authorized on April 23 of this yr, three months after Trump took workplace. Lakanwal, 29, who lived in Washington state, had no recognized legal historical past, the official mentioned.
Lakanwal’s authorities mentioned america had vetted him due to his work with U.S. authorities companions in Afghanistan, and no disqualifying data was discovered.
“This animal would’ve by no means been right here if not for Joe Biden’s harmful insurance policies, which allowed numerous unvetted criminals to invade our nation and hurt the American folks,” mentioned Abigail Jackson, a White Home spokeswoman.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe mentioned in an announcement that Lakanwal had labored with CIA-backed native items in Afghanistan.
“The Biden Administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to america in September 2021 as a consequence of his prior work with the U.S. Authorities, together with CIA, as a member of a associate pressure in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation,” Ratcliffe mentioned. “This particular person – and so many others – ought to have by no means been allowed to return right here.”
The capturing of U.S. troops on American soil by an immigrant is anticipated to echo all through the political enviornment. Trump has already ordered an extra 500 troops to be deployed to Washington.
He has additionally known as for a “re-examination” of all Afghan nationals who entered america throughout the Biden administration. Following the capturing, the Trump administration suspended all immigration purposes from Afghan nationals.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Division of Homeland Safety, mentioned in an announcement that the administration would evaluate all Biden-era asylum circumstances, together with refugee circumstances reported by Reuters earlier this week.
A supply advised Reuters that the suspension additionally coated purposes from Afghans who had labored with the CIA. The assault has additional revived criticism by the Trump administration over the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
