Post by : Meena Ariff

U.S. President Donald Trump has declared an urgent need to “permanently pause immigration” from select nations following a tragic shooting incident in Washington, D.C., involving an Afghan man admitted through a resettlement program.

The incident occurred near a subway station where National Guard members were on patrol per Trump's directives. In this ambush, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard soldier, was fatally shot, while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, is in critical condition.

The alleged gunman, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was also injured during the incident and is now in custody facing upgraded charges of first-degree murder. Reports indicate he traveled from Washington state and utilized a revolver during the attack. Lakanwal previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan and was relocated to the U.S. in 2021 under a program designed to protect Afghan allies following the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey expressed his condolences for Beckstrom, commending her “courage and unwavering commitment to her state and nation.”

A memorial of flowers and candles has appeared at the site of the shooting, attracting somber visits from local residents.

Shortly after confirming Beckstrom's passing, Trump shared a lengthy statement on social media, suggesting that immigration has adversely affected American jobs and societal security. These remarks mirrored previous assertions that have been scrutinized by experts and advocacy organizations.

He emphasized that only “reverse migration” and a halt to entries from “all Third World countries” can rectify what he described as a “broken system.” Additionally, Trump criticized Somali refugees in Minnesota and targeted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz with derogatory language.

Echoing Trump's sentiments, the Department of Homeland Security shared his comments and encouraged support for deportation efforts, linking to an ICE recruitment page. This sparked worry among civil rights advocates who argued that the administration was unjustly blaming entire communities.

On the following day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed a suspension on issuing visas for individuals carrying Afghan passports. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that all asylum applications are on hold pending a new review process.

When questioned by reporters about blaming all Afghans for the incident, Trump clarified that he did not, but mentioned “a lot of problems with Afghans” without elaborating.

Organizations that assist in refugee resettlement implored the public not to associate the actions of an individual with entire communities. Matthew Soerens from World Relief emphasized that those fleeing peril shouldn't face repercussions for a crime they had no role in.

Experts voiced concerns that broad restrictions on Afghans could inadvertently jeopardize U.S. safety by transforming allies into adversaries.

Prior to this incident, authorities had already implemented stricter screening measures for individuals hailing from 19 identified “high risk” nations, though the full list remains undisclosed. Earlier this year, the administration had blocked travels from 12 countries and imposed significant restrictions on seven, including Afghanistan.

Since returning to the presidency, Trump has revitalized and broadened many of his earlier policies. ICE enforcement actions have increased in frequency, sometimes mistakenly apprehending individuals without criminal backgrounds, including U.S. citizens. Courts have rebuked the administration for failing to ensure due process for those facing deportation.

Additionally, officials have pressured DACA recipients to leave voluntarily and have renewed calls to revoke birthright citizenship, a move that legal experts assert would require a constitutional amendment.

During his campaign last year, Trump characterized migrants as “poisoning the blood of our country,” eliciting backlash from religious leaders and immigrant advocacy groups.

The Biden administration delayed the conclusion of the pandemic-era Title 42 rule after contentious disputes with Republican-led states. Analysts suggest that various factors, not merely policy changes, contributed to an uptick in border crossings.

At a briefing in Geneva, a spokesperson from the UN human rights office called on the U.S. to uphold its responsibilities to protect asylum seekers, ensuring they receive fair treatment and access to due process in accordance with international law.

As the nation faces a tragic incident and a renewed political battle over immigration, refugee advocates highlight the risks posed by extensive crackdowns on vulnerable populations, many of whom have supported U.S. endeavors abroad and counted on the government to uphold its promises.

#Global News #Donald Trump