Afghans living in the US have condemned a recent deadly shooting attack in Washington DC, emphasizing that the suspect, who immigrated from Afghanistan four years ago, does not represent their community. The accused, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was admitted to the US through a special immigration program aimed at Afghans who assisted US forces following the troop withdrawal in 2021.
The shooting resulted in the death of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, while her colleague, Andrew Wolfe, is reported to be in critical condition. In light of this tragedy, former President Donald Trump announced a halt on processing Afghan immigration requests, requesting a review of green card issuances and hinting at stricter immigration policies for individuals from what he terms 'third-world countries.'
The Afghan Community Coalition in the US has expressed their condolences to the victims' families and called for a thorough investigation. They urged the government not to compromise ongoing immigration claims, highlighting that two decades of partnership with the US should be treasured and not forgotten.
Afghans in America have expressed horror at the attack, noting it was an isolated incident not reflective of the greater Afghan community. Many feel anxious about the implications for immigration amidst a politically charged environment, especially given the threats to their safety from the Taliban back home.
One Afghan resident described the shooting as 'deeply tragic,' emphasizing that Afghans in the US contribute positively to society and remain appreciative of American evacuation efforts during the Kabul crisis. Individuals from the community, speaking anonymously due to fears of Taliban reprisals, conveyed their concerns about the political fallout from the incident and the uncertain future for Afghan immigrants navigating a complex immigration system.
The shooting resulted in the death of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, while her colleague, Andrew Wolfe, is reported to be in critical condition. In light of this tragedy, former President Donald Trump announced a halt on processing Afghan immigration requests, requesting a review of green card issuances and hinting at stricter immigration policies for individuals from what he terms 'third-world countries.'
The Afghan Community Coalition in the US has expressed their condolences to the victims' families and called for a thorough investigation. They urged the government not to compromise ongoing immigration claims, highlighting that two decades of partnership with the US should be treasured and not forgotten.
Afghans in America have expressed horror at the attack, noting it was an isolated incident not reflective of the greater Afghan community. Many feel anxious about the implications for immigration amidst a politically charged environment, especially given the threats to their safety from the Taliban back home.
One Afghan resident described the shooting as 'deeply tragic,' emphasizing that Afghans in the US contribute positively to society and remain appreciative of American evacuation efforts during the Kabul crisis. Individuals from the community, speaking anonymously due to fears of Taliban reprisals, conveyed their concerns about the political fallout from the incident and the uncertain future for Afghan immigrants navigating a complex immigration system.
