U.S. Immigration Agency Tightens Vetting Amid Shooting Case

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow announced on Thursday that the agency will review green cards issued to citizens of every country of concern after the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. Edlow stated that at the direction of the President, there will be a full-scale rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern. The two National Guard members, Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, were shot multiple times while on duty near the Farragut West Metro station. Fellow National Guard members quickly subdued the attacker, preventing additional casualties. Beckstrom and Wolfe are in critical condition. Authorities identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakamal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. under the Operation Allies Welcome program, the post-withdrawal relocation program for Afghan allies. The decision to review green cards comes amid heightened scrutiny of immigration vetting in light of Lakamal’s identification. Federal officials continue to examine the suspect’s background, identify possible associates, and determine whether any failures occurred in the screening process.