Understanding 'Operation Allies Welcome,' the program that welcomed Afghans into the US

A recent shooting near the White House has brought renewed attention to the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome, as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal faces a first-degree murder charge. Lakanwal was arrested Wednesday after gunfire erupted just blocks from the White House.

Both the suspect and two U.S. service members were injured: Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24. Beckstrom later died from her injuries. Lakanwal is also charged with multiple firearm offenses, including possession during a violent crime and assault with intent to kill while armed.

The CIA confirmed Lakanwal previously assisted U.S. forces in Afghanistan during the 20-year conflict. He left Afghanistan in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program initiated by former President Biden to evacuate Afghans who had supported U.S. troops during the war, following the military withdrawal and Taliban takeover.

At the time, former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas set up a Unified Coordination Group (UCG) to manage resettlement efforts. DHS explained that refugees were vetted through extensive biometric and biographic screenings conducted by intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism agencies, including the FBI and National Counterterrorism Center, before entering the U.S. Anyone failing security checks was denied boarding.

Biden stated in 2021 that evacuees were first flown to U.S. military bases and transit centers globally for thorough screening before arriving in the country. Mayorkas emphasized the program included U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Afghan allies, Special Immigrant Visa holders, journalists, and vulnerable women and children. We have a moral imperative to protect them and ensure national security, he said.

In September 2021, Mayorkas pledged to welcome U.S. citizens in Afghanistan and Afghans who assisted the military. Two years later, Biden allowed refugees to extend their temporary protected status (TPS), following Congresss failure to pass legislation providing a citizenship pathway for approximately 80,000 Afghans.

Republican critics, including former President Trump, condemned the withdrawal and refugee program, citing reports that it was rushed and contributed to U.S. military casualties. Trump later lifted deportation protections for Afghans, arguing that the countrys conditions no longer justified them.

Following Wednesdays shooting, immigration from Afghanistan was paused indefinitely while USCIS reviews security and vetting procedures. Trump called for a full review of Afghan entrants under Operation Allies Welcome, and the State Department halted visas from the country. USCIS is also reexamining green cards from 19 other nations as a security measure.

Author’s Analysis: Security and Oversight in Operation Allies Welcome

The recent shooting near the White House highlights critical questions about the screening and resettlement process under Operation Allies Welcome. While Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, had been thoroughly vetted before entering the U.S., the incident demonstrates that no process is entirely risk-free. Both U.S. service members involved were injured, and one, Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, tragically died.

Operation Allies Welcome was designed to evacuate Afghans who assisted U.S. forces during the 20-year conflict. The program included extensive biometric and biographic checks by multiple agencies, including the FBI and National Counterterrorism Center. Despite these measures, this case has prompted an immediate review of vetting procedures and a pause in Afghan immigration.

The situation also reflects the broader tension between humanitarian obligations and national security. While the U.S. committed to protecting vulnerable Afghans, the shooting has intensified scrutiny from both political and public stakeholders. USCIS is now reevaluating entry procedures, and the State Department has halted visas, underscoring the continuing challenge of balancing safety with the moral responsibility to aid allies.

Sources:

• What is ‘Operation Allies Welcome,’ program that allowed Afghans into US