Washington attack sparks renewed debate on Afghan refugees and US security

A recent attack in Washington, D.C., carried out by an Afghan national on two U.S. National Guard soldiers, has reignited global debate over Afghan refugees and security screening protocols in the United States.

The incident highlights the persistent challenges Afghan nationals face due to decades-long associations with terrorism and crime, despite assurances by the Taliban under the Doha peace agreement that Afghan territory would not be used for militant activities.

In the latest episode of On My Radar, Kamran Khan highlighted the implications of the attack, noting that Afghan refugees worldwide are increasingly facing scrutiny and restrictions because of security concerns and that host nations prioritize national safety above humanitarian considerations.

The attacker, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, opened fire near a busy tourist area just blocks from the White House, leaving a male and a female National Guard soldier critically injured.

Lakanwal was taken into police custody. Mayor Muriel Bowser described the assault as a “targeted shooting,” while U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed that the suspect had arrived in the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome, a program that admitted nearly 77,000 Afghans following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The attack has intensified scrutiny of Afghan immigration policies in the United States. During the Biden administration, Afghan nationals were granted Temporary Protected Status in 2022, extended in 2023. However, in April 2025, the Trump administration announced plans to terminate the status for thousands of Afghan residents. Former President Trump called the D.C. attack an act of terrorism and vowed a comprehensive review of all Afghans admitted under the evacuation program, emphasizing stricter security vetting.

Defense officials confirmed that the attacker reached close to the White House, prompting immediate deployment of additional National Guard troops. U.S. authorities have also temporarily suspended processing Afghan immigration applications and announced enhanced monitoring and security assessments.

Rahmanullah, a former Afghan soldier with ten years of service - including a posting in Kandahar alongside U.S. Special Forces - remains in custody. ABC News reports the FBI is investigating whether the attack had international terrorism links or was motivated by affiliations with terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

Globally, Afghan refugees increasingly face pressure due to perceived security risks. Nearly 90% of the world’s 6.1 million Afghan refugees reside in Pakistan and Iran, both of which have in recent years expedited repatriation amid security concerns.

Pakistan alone has returned roughly one million Afghan refugees over the past two years, while about 1.5 million remain. Iran has similarly expelled large numbers, citing espionage and security threats.

Kamran Khan pointed out that while most Afghan nationals are not involved in terrorism, the longstanding perception linking them to crime and militancy continues to influence international policies.

He added that host countries - whether Pakistan, Iran, or the United States - view national security as their top priority, often above humanitarian obligations, leaving Afghan refugees in a precarious position globally.