In the wake of the attack on National Guard members in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, the State Department swiftly halted all visa issuance for those holding Afghan passports. This decision comes after Rahmanullah Rakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, was charged with first-degree murder in relation to the incident, which led to the death of a member of the West Virginia National Guard, as well as critical injuries to U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Andrew Wolfe, who is 24.
Interestingly, Rakanwal had previously undergone vetting by the CIA in Afghanistan and received final approval for asylum earlier this year under the Trump administration, as various sources indicated.
The State Department announced, via social media, that they were taking necessary measures to safeguard national security and public safety, with a focus on the visa situation for Afghan passport holders.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared this update on X, emphasizing that the priority remains on protecting the nation and its citizens. Following the announcement, AfghanistanEvac, a nonprofit organization focused on migration and resettlement, criticized the decision. They argued that it represents a violation of federal law, suggesting that Rubio appears to be halting the special immigrant visa program in direct contravention of legal obligations. Sean Vandiver, President of AfghanEvac, claimed that the move is masking broader policy intentions that have been in the works for a long time.
Interestingly, the new policy coincided with media questions aimed at Trump regarding the security breach. He responded, with a mix of frustration and resignation, expressing that such incidents often arise from inadequate vetting processes.
Moreover, on a related note, USCIS Secretary Joseph B. Edlow announced plans to rigorously review green cards issued to immigrants from various countries deemed high risk, including Afghanistan and several others.
