In the wake of a violent incident on Wednesday involving two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., U.S. State Department officials have announced a suspension of visas for travelers carrying Afghan passports.
On Friday, the State Department shared via social media: “The State Department has immediately suspended the issuance of visas to individuals traveling on Afghan passports. The State Department is taking all necessary steps to protect the national security and public safety of the United States.”
Reports indicate the shooter has been identified as Rahmanullah Rakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, confirmed that the two targeted National Guardsmen were Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24.
Pirro noted that Rakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 as part of former President Biden’s Operation Welcoming Allies, following a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. He allegedly opened fire on security personnel near the Farragut West subway station around 2:15 p.m. ET.
According to Pirro, Rakanwal used a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver in what was described as an ambush against the guards.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation on Thursday, announcing the death of Beckstrom and condemning the attack: “This heinous assault was an act of evil, an act of hatred, an act of terrorism. It was a crime against all of our country, it was a crime against humanity. Tonight, the American people stand with these two West Virginia National Guard members and their families.”
Reports also revealed that Rakanwal had worked with the CIA as part of a partner force in Kandahar, Afghanistan. In response to the shooting, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a suspension of all immigration applications for Afghan nationals, pending a review of security and vetting procedures.
