ICE Arrests of Afghan Immigrants Surge After Nov. 26 Guard Shooting, Prompting Nationwide Policy Pause
Updated (3 articles)
Arrests Spike Following Guard Shooting Near White House Two dozen Afghan immigrants have been detained since the Nov. 26 shooting that killed one National Guard member and wounded another, with most arrests occurring in Northern California and nine detainees taken at the Sacramento federal building last week [1][2]. ICE agents conducted the arrests in the days after the incident, citing heightened security concerns. Community volunteers reported seeing handcuffed men and interview cancellations, fueling fear among families.
USCIS Suspends All Afghan Immigration Processing In response to the shooting, USCIS halted processing of every Afghan immigration request, including asylum applications, visas, and green‑card petitions [1][2]. The pause applies to individuals who assisted U.S. forces and to broader Afghan entrants under Operation Allies Welcome. Officials framed the suspension as a “security measure,” while advocates warn it could strand allies who helped the U.S. military.
Detained Individuals Predominantly Asylum Seekers With Clean Records Legal representatives note that many of those arrested had filed asylum claims within the past two years and possessed no criminal histories [1][2]. Several detainees were part of the 76,000 Afghans admitted through Operation Allies Welcome and had strong cases pending before immigration courts. Attorneys argue the arrests amount to collective punishment of a population that risked their lives for U.S. troops.
Government Review Expands to Operation Allies Welcome Admissions The administration launched a government‑wide review of Afghan entrants, examining green‑card and citizenship applications and considering deportations of relatives of the suspect [2][3]. DHS has also ordered reviews of immigration files for Afghan nationals and 18 other countries on the former Trump travel‑ban list. Critics, including South Dakota’s Secretary of State Kristi Noem, claim the Biden administration created a “national‑security crisis” by admitting nearly 190,000 unvetted Afghans.
Separate Terror‑Related Arrest Highlights Ongoing Security Scrutiny On Dec. 3, ICE and HSI arrested Afghan national Jaan Shah Safi in Waynesboro, Virginia, accusing him of ISIS‑K support and weapon transfers to his militia‑leader father [3]. Safi entered the U.S. on Sep. 8, 2021, under Operation Allies Welcome and had previously applied for Temporary Protected Status, which was later terminated. His case underscores a broader pattern of heightened enforcement against Afghan arrivals amid the post‑shooting crackdown.
Sources
-
1.
AP: ICE Arrests of Afghans Rise After National Guard Shooting: reports roughly two dozen arrests, nine at Sacramento, community claims collective punishment, pause of Afghan immigration, volunteers observed handcuffing
-
2.
Newsweek: ICE arrests of Afghans rise after National Guard shooting in DC, AP reports: mirrors AP numbers, adds suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal details, notes USCIS pause, policy review, Lakanwal pleads not guilty
-
3.
Newsweek: ICE Arrests Afghan National in Virginia Accused of ISIS‑K Support: details Dec 3 arrest of Jaan Shah Safi for ISIS‑K support, mentions Operation Allies Welcome entry, TPS termination, broader DHS review, political criticism
Timeline
Aug 2021 – The United States completes its military withdrawal from Afghanistan, prompting the Biden administration to launch Operation Allies Welcome, which later admits roughly 190,000 Afghan allies to the U.S. [2]
Sep 8, 2021 – Afghan national Jaan Shah Safi arrives in the United States under Operation Allies Welcome, later applying for Temporary Protected Status before it is terminated by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem [2]
Nov 26, 2025 – Afghan immigrant Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who received asylum earlier in 2025, shoots and kills a West Virginia National Guard member and wounds another near the White House; he later pleads not guilty to murder and assault [1][3]
Nov 26 – Dec 2025 – In response to the shooting, USCIS pauses all Afghan immigration processing, halting asylum, green‑card, and citizenship applications for Afghans who assisted U.S. forces [1]
Dec 3, 2025 – ICE and HSI agents arrest Jaan Shah Safi in Waynesboro, Virginia, accusing him of ISIS‑K support and weapon supply to his father, a militia commander in Afghanistan [2]
Dec 9, 2025 – ICE detains roughly two dozen Afghan immigrants across the country, with at least nine arrests at a Sacramento federal building after “check‑in” calls; most detainees had pending asylum or immigration cases [1][3]
Dec 2025 (ongoing) – The federal government conducts a government‑wide review of Afghans admitted under Operation Allies Welcome, weighing actions such as deporting relatives of the suspect and expanding migration restrictions for certain countries [1]
Dec 2025 (ongoing) – DHS orders reviews of immigration applications—including green cards and citizenship—for Afghan nationals and citizens of 18 other countries on the former Trump travel‑ban list, intensifying political debate over vetting Afghan arrivals [2]