Concerns Raised After Afghan Refugee Accused in National Guard Shooting
Washington, D.C. – Questions are being raised about the vetting process for Afghan refugees after a man who came to the United States under “Operation Allies Welcome” has been accused of shooting two National Guard members.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the accused shooter, was one of approximately 76,000 Afghans brought to the U.S. following the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
The program, initiated by the Biden administration, was intended to provide refuge for Afghans who had helped the U.S. during its 20-year presence in the country. However, concerns have been voiced by conservatives, including former President Trump, that the refugees were not properly vetted.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated, “This individual should have never been allowed to come here. Our citizens and servicemembers deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden Administration’s catastrophic failures.”
Lakanwal had worked with the CIA in Afghanistan. It remains unclear what he did for the agency and how he came to be resettled in the U.S.
Following the shooting, former President Trump reiterated his concerns about the refugee resettlement program and the need for stricter vetting procedures. He stated, “If they can’t love our country, we don’t want them.”
Trump’s administration had previously taken steps to limit refugee resettlement, citing security concerns and the need to prioritize American citizens. These policies included suspending federal funding for resettlement agencies.
While some refugees, like Mohammad Saboor, have expressed gratitude and a desire to contribute to American society, the recent incident has reignited the debate over refugee vetting and the potential risks associated with large-scale resettlement programs.
