Shooting in D.C. Shakes Afghan Visa Program as Republicans Demand Stricter Screening

By Jim Mishler | Thursday, 25 December 2025 01:21 PM EST
As Kabul fell to the Taliban in 2021 following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, many Republicans in Congress urged the government to provide refuge for Afghans who assisted American forces during nearly two decades of war.

For months and years after, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers pressed for expanding the Special Immigrant Visa program, arguing it was a moral obligation to protect Afghan allies facing retaliation for their work with U.S. troops, diplomats, and contractors.

That bipartisan effort has since stalled following the arrest of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan evacuee charged with shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., shortly before Thanksgiving, killing one and seriously wounding the other.

After the incident, President Donald Trump called for a reexamination of every Afghan who entered the country during the Biden administration, pausing further visa expansion.

Many Republicans who once supported increasing Afghan admissions have since aligned with Trump’s stance, citing security concerns and the need for stricter screening procedures.

Texas Republican Representative Michael McCaul noted that the push for more visas had been severely damaged, calling the situation unfortunate given that many Afghan applicants had fought alongside U.S. forces.

Since 2021, over 190,000 Afghans have entered the United States, including recipients of Special Immigrant Visas and others admitted temporarily under parole while seeking asylum or permanent residency.

Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of lawmakers sought an additional 20,000 visas, arguing the program included extensive background checks and biometric screening.

Several Republicans stated that the shooting changed the political and policy landscape, with Representative Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., saying he would defer to the president on how to proceed, while Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called for a fresh review of the process.

Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, observed that the attack underscored the need for stronger vetting while acknowledging the contributions many Afghans made in protecting U.S. troops.

Republicans have also criticized the Biden-era parole program that allowed Afghans to remain temporarily in the country, noting that Lakanwal entered under that status before later receiving asylum.

Senator Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., urged the administration to pause admissions until the government can confirm the status and well-being of those already admitted.

This shift reflects growing Republican support for Trump’s position that immigration programs tied to Afghanistan require tighter oversight and more thorough vetting before any expansion is permitted.