Republicans demand immigration crackdown after National Guard shooting

Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill are urging tougher immigration policies following a shooting incident on Wednesday, where two National Guard members were injured by an Afghan national in Washington, D.C., close to the White House.

The suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan before the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. He entered the United States through a Biden administration program designed to resettle Afghan refugees who had assisted U.S. forces during the 20-year conflict.

Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) condemned the attack on the social media platform X, stating that Afghan immigrants who pose threats should be banned and deported immediately. Representative Mary Miller (R-Ill.) echoed this sentiment, calling for deportation of such individuals in response to news coverage of the shooting.

Lakanwal faces three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, which carry a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced prosecutors will pursue the death penalty. The injured soldiers remain in critical condition.

Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) criticized the Biden administrations handling of Afghan evacuees and called for the Afghan Vetting Accountability Act, legislation he reintroduced with Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), to ensure proper screening of evacuees. The proposed law would require the Department of Homeland Security to verify that Afghan evacuees arriving between July 2021 and January 2022 underwent thorough vetting.

Following the shooting, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services halted all immigration processing for Afghan nationals pending a security review. Representative Brian Mast (R-Fla.) accused the Biden administration of mismanagement and misinformation regarding the Afghanistan withdrawal, while Representative Randy Fine (R-Fla.) urged denying entry and deporting non-citizens.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that 500 additional National Guard troops would be deployed to Washington, D.C., after the incident. This follows measures from the previous administration, which had declared the city a crime-free zone during a prior security operation.

The White House issued a statement on Thanksgiving expressing support for the National Guard and all military and law enforcement personnel.

Analysis: The Debate Over Immigration Policies Intensifies Following Washington, D.C. Shooting

The recent shooting incident in Washington, D.C., which resulted in two National Guard members being critically injured by an Afghan national, has sparked renewed calls from Republican lawmakers for more stringent immigration policies. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who had previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan, entered the U.S. under a program aimed at resettling Afghan refugees. His attack on U.S. personnel has now reignited a fierce political debate on immigration, vetting processes, and the safety of U.S. citizens.

Republican leaders, such as Senator Tommy Tuberville and Representative Mary Miller, have quickly seized upon the incident to advocate for the immediate deportation of immigrants who pose a security threat. The focus on Lakanwal's background as an Afghan refugee has further fueled calls for stricter vetting procedures for all incoming refugees, especially those who arrived after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

In response to the shooting, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has suspended processing for Afghan nationals pending a security review. This decision, combined with a push for the Afghan Vetting Accountability Act, is seen as a direct result of concerns over the thoroughness of the vetting process during the rapid evacuation of Afghans who aided U.S. forces. Republican lawmakers are also calling for a reassessment of the Biden administration's handling of the situation, pointing to lapses in security that may have allowed dangerous individuals to enter the country.

However, the calls for tighter immigration controls and deportations are not without controversy. While proponents argue that these measures are necessary to protect U.S. citizens, critics warn that such policies could unfairly target vulnerable refugees and undermine the integrity of resettlement programs. The debate over the balance between national security and humanitarian responsibility remains as polarized as ever.

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• Republicans ‘outraged’ over National Guard shooting press for immigration crackdown