Last Thursday in Washington D.C., an Afghan refugee was arrested on suspicion of shooting two National Guard members. In the immediate aftermath, the Trump administration claimed that the individual had been admitted to the United States without proper vetting during President Joe Biden’s administration.
However, a review by Reuters of U.S. government files shows that the accused Afghan gunman, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was actually granted asylum earlier this year under the Trump administration.
The 29-year-old Afghan first entered the United States on 8 September 2021 under the “Operation Allies Welcome” program. This program was established following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, with the Biden administration facilitating the resettlement of Afghan nationals.
FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Ginain Piro—both appointees of Trump—stated at a press conference on Thursday that the Biden administration had failed to conduct adequate background checks or vetting before allowing Lakanwal entry into the U.S. in 2021. Patel claimed, without presenting concrete evidence, that Lakanwal had been improperly admitted because thousands of Afghans were allowed entry “without proper background checks or vetting” during the previous administration.
According to a congressional report, more than 70,000 Afghan nationals were permitted entry into the U.S. under this program, with security screenings conducted by U.S. counterterrorism and intelligence agencies. Under the “Operation Allies Welcome” initiative, Afghan arrivals were given two-year parole status, allowing them to legally reside and work in the U.S., and eventually apply for more permanent immigration status.
Reuters’ examination of official files shows that Lakanwal applied for asylum in December 2024, three months after Trump assumed office. His application was approved on 23 April of this year. He had no criminal history and was residing in Washington state at the time.
Government records note that Lakanwal had worked with U.S. government partners during the Afghanistan conflict, and there was no information indicating he was ineligible for entry. CIA Director John Ratcliffe also confirmed in a statement that Lakanwal had collaborated with CIA-supported local units in Afghanistan.
This revelation challenges earlier claims that the Biden administration failed to properly vet Lakanwal, showing that the refugee’s entry into the U.S. occurred under the prior administration’s policies.
