A program initiated by the Biden administration that facilitated the entry of numerous Afghan nationals into the United States is being criticized by the Trump White House for allegedly enabling the arrival of an individual suspected of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the U.S. on September 8, 2021, through Operation Allies Welcome (OAW), as disclosed by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem following the incident. CIA Director John Ratcliffe verified Lakanwal’s prior collaboration with the U.S. government, including the CIA, while serving with a partner force in Kandahar.
Although Lakanwal applied for asylum during former President Joe Biden’s tenure, his application was approved in April under the Trump administration. Subsequent to the shooting, certain officials from the Trump administration, including the president, have criticized the program, asserting inadequate security vetting for entrants into the U.S. Consequently, the Trump administration declared a halt to processing immigration applications from Afghanistan.
Operation Allies Welcome was introduced by President Biden to assist Afghan nationals who supported the U.S. during the war, specifically focusing on interpreters and translators concerned about retribution from the Taliban. Those arriving under this program were granted two years of humanitarian parole to temporarily enter the U.S. due to emergency or urgent humanitarian reasons, with an obligation to apply for asylum if they desired to stay.
The vetting process for Afghan individuals involved comprehensive biometric and biographic screenings, including fingerprint and photo reviews, before their clearance for travel to the U.S. Upon arrival at U.S. airports, Afghan nationals underwent primary inspections, with secondary inspections conducted as necessary by intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism professionals from various U.S. security agencies.
Criticism of the vetting process arose during the influx of Afghan nationals into the U.S., with concerns raised by some Republicans regarding potential security risks posed by inadequate vetting procedures. Reports from government agencies highlighted issues with data accuracy and tracking of evacuees who did not remain at designated safe havens. Former Republican Senator Rob Portman emphasized the need for rigorous vetting processes following reports indicating security threats due to insufficient vetting during the evacuation of Afghans.
In response to the Washington, D.C. shooting incident, #AfghanEvac, an organization aiding in the resettlement of Afghan allies, denounced violence while underscoring the rigorous security vetting undergone by Afghan immigrants and wartime allies relocating to the U.S. The organization stressed that the actions of an individual should not be used to stigmatize or undermine the entire community.
