Trump urges US diplomats to push European allies on immigrant-related 'violent crimes', report claims

Before Donald Trump pledged on Wednesday to suspend immigration for Afghan nationals after a deadly shooting near the White House, the U.S. State Department was reportedly already encouraging international governments to limit migration, citing concerns over violent crime. A report by The New York Times revealed a diplomatic cable issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio a week prior, instructing U.S. diplomats to press countries in Europe, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia to implement strict migration controls.

The cable, dated November 21 and obtained by the Times, directed ambassadors and embassy staff to emphasize criminal incidents, particularly violent crimes, involving migrants in their host countries, supporting the Trump administration's position. It described such crimes as widespread disruptors of social cohesion, a claim often highlighted by the administration and its far-right supporters to intensify political debate around immigration-related violence.

Diplomats were instructed to regularly engage host governments and their respective authorities to raise U.S. concerns about violent crimes associated with people of a migration background, according to the report. The existence of the cable was first publicly revealed on Wednesday, coinciding with news that an Afghan man was identified as the suspect in the shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House. The injured troops remained in critical condition as of Thursday morning.

The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is believed to have worked with U.S. forces, including the CIA, in Afghanistan before arriving in the U.S. after the Taliban took control of the country in 2021. He was hospitalized following the shooting after being shot by a Guard member.

In response, Trump issued a strong statement, declaring that Lakanwal would face the steepest possible price. He ordered federal agencies to halt immigration requests from Afghanistan, which has been under Taliban rule for four years. Lakanwal initially came to the U.S. under a Biden-era program aimed at evacuating Afghans fearing Taliban retaliation for cooperation with American forces. Department of Homeland Security records indicate that Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2024, with his request approved in early 2025, and was awaiting green card approval at the time of the attack.

Trump, in a video statement, called for a review of all Afghan refugees admitted to the U.S. since 2021, describing attacks by migrants as the single greatest national security threat to the nation. Tens of thousands of Afghans and Iraqis have resettled in the U.S. on special immigrant visas over the past four years, many escaping instability and threats of retaliation for collaborating with U.S. forces in the region.

The fall of Afghanistans democratic government in 2021 accelerated the issuance of these visas under Bidens Operation Allies Welcome, which provided protections for vulnerable Afghan citizens. Temporary protected status for other Afghan refugees was also extended at that time but later suspended by the Trump administration in early 2025.

Immigrant-perpetrated violent crimes have become a central theme in Trumps 2024 campaign. He previously cited the murder of 22-year-old Laken Riley in February 2024 to criticize Bidens immigration policies. Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly claimed that illegal border crossings dropped to zero under his administration, although DHS data shows that while illegal crossings have decreased significantly, thousands of encounters with unauthorized migrants still occur each month at ports of entry and along the U.S. border.

Author’s Analysis: U.S. Immigration Policy and Security Concerns

The recent revelation of a State Department cable instructing diplomats to press other nations on migration controls underscores the administration's focus on security risks associated with immigration. The cable, issued before the White House shooting, emphasized violent crimes involving migrants as “widespread disruptors of social cohesion,” reflecting a broader strategy to reinforce Trump’s stance on restrictive immigration policies.

The timing of the cable and the subsequent attack by an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has intensified the political debate. Lakanwal, who had previously worked with U.S. forces and arrived under a Biden-era evacuation program, was awaiting green card approval when the incident occurred. The case illustrates the challenges in balancing national security with humanitarian commitments to vulnerable populations.

Trump’s immediate response—halting Afghan immigration and calling for a review of all Afghan refugees admitted since 2021—highlights how violent incidents can rapidly shape policy decisions. While the administration frames such measures as necessary for security, tens of thousands of Afghans and Iraqis who resettled in the U.S. under special visas remain affected, raising questions about the long-term implications for U.S. foreign policy and refugee programs.

Data on illegal crossings and migrant-related crimes remain central to this debate. Despite claims of zero illegal crossings under Trump, Department of Homeland Security records indicate that significant numbers of unauthorized encounters continue. This contrast points to a complex reality: security concerns are real but must be weighed carefully against migration policy, humanitarian obligations, and diplomatic relations.

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• Trump wants US diplomats to pressure European allies over ‘violent crimes’ committed by immigrants, report says