BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — The Trump administration has taken significant steps in response to a recent National Guard shooting in Washington, D.C., halting all asylum decisions and pausing visa issuance for individuals holding Afghan passports. This incident has been leveraged by the administration to reinforce its stance against legal immigration policies.

The shooting, which occurred on Wednesday, resulted in the tragic death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and left Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, in critical condition. Both were members of the West Virginia National Guard. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, faces serious charges, including first-degree murder, as authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack.

Lakanwal had previously collaborated with the CIA during the Afghanistan War and was granted asylum this year under the Biden administration, according to a resettlement group for Afghan allies. He was living in Bellingham, Washington, approximately 80 miles north of Seattle, with his wife and five children.

In light of the shooting, the Republican administration announced a halt to the entry of individuals from several impoverished nations while reviewing the legal status of Afghans and other migrants already residing in the U.S. The incident also serves as a backdrop for Trump's broader agenda related to immigration.

Beckstrom and Wolfe were deployed to D.C. as part of what has been termed Trump's crime-fighting mission. Under pressure, the administration sought to reposition National Guard resources to enhance security in various urban areas, despite legal challenges to these deployments.

The charges against Lakanwal, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, include two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed. A promise of “many changes to come” was made following the incident. Trump labeled the shooting a “terrorist attack” and criticized the Biden administration for allowing Afghans who assisted U.S. forces to enter the country.

Asylum Decisions Stopped

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow announced a pause in asylum decisions, with the objective of maximizing vetting and screening of applicants. Experts note that the U.S. maintains rigorous background checks for asylum seekers. Critics argue that backlogs have worsened under the current administration’s policies.

Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the suspension of visa issuance for all Afghan passport holders. This measure has attracted criticism from groups such as #AfghanEvac, whose president, Shawn VanDiver, accused the administration of exploiting the actions of one individual to implement long-standing anti-immigration policies.

Details on the Suspect

Lakanwal, described by neighbors as polite and quiet, had reportedly struggled to find steady work after moving to Bellingham. Reports indicate that he became distant from his community two weeks prior to the shooting. The local mosque expressed sorrow over the violence, condemning the act and offering condolences to the victims and their families.

Lakanwal briefly worked as an independent contractor for Amazon Flex in the summer preceding the attack. He had come to the U.S. in 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program, which aimed to resettle Afghan allies post-U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

His background includes service in a CIA-backed Afghan Army unit, where he reportedly began as a security guard in 2012 and rose to the rank of team leader and GPS specialist. His cousin, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, provided insights into Lakanwal’s military career.

Tributes to Beckstrom

Specialist Beckstrom, who enlisted in 2023, was recognized for her exemplary leadership as a military police officer within the West Virginia National Guard. The unit honored her dedication, noting that she had volunteered for the deployment in Washington.

A moment of silence was held during a West Virginia University football game to honor both Beckstrom and Wolfe. In response to the incident, the U.S. administration has announced the deployment of 500 additional National Guard members to the nation's capital, bringing the total to nearly 2,200 troops since August.

Investigations into the shooting continue, with authorities executing warrants across various locations, as this complex situation unfolds in the aftermath of a tragic incident.