The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was detained after being injured.
According to official sources, Lakanwal entered the US in 2021 through the Operation Allies Welcome program, established after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan to resettle Afghans who had assisted US forces.
There are unconfirmed reports that the suspect may have worked with the CIA and/or US forces in Afghanistan before entering the US. Some media outlets make this connection based on accounts describing him as a “partner with US forces” in Afghanistan.
US Reaction: Suspension of Afghan Immigration Requests
On Wednesday night, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the immediate and indefinite suspension of all immigration requests from Afghan citizens. The measure is intended to allow a “review of security protocols and background checks.”
In a public statement, President Donald J. Trump described the attack as an “act of terror” and stated that all Afghans admitted to the US during former President Joe Biden’s administration should be reassessed, criticizing previous immigration policies for allowing “foreigners who do not belong here” to enter.
Political and Security Implications
The incident has increased pressure on the Afghan resettlement program launched after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Critics highlight flaws in background checks and security procedures.
The resurgence of controversies surrounding Afghan immigration and the domestic use of the National Guard has reignited debates over national security, immigration control, and the risks associated with the rapid admission of refugees under emergency programs.
Federal authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), have classified the attack as “possible terrorism” and launched an investigation into the suspect’s motives.
