Jacksonville, FL, November 28, 2025
Following a fatal shooting near the White House involving an Afghan national, President Trump has announced plans to halt migration from all ‘Third World Countries.’ The incident has spurred further scrutiny of the U.S. refugee resettlement program, Operation Allies Welcome, which aimed to resettle Afghans after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump plans to review asylum cases and benefits for non-citizens while taking steps to deport individuals deemed threats to national security, as the debate over immigration policy intensifies.
Jacksonville, FL – President Donald Trump has announced plans to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries” following a fatal shooting incident near the White House involving an Afghan national. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had previously worked with the CIA and was granted asylum under the Trump administration in April 2025. This incident has intensified criticism of the U.S. refugee resettlement program, Operation Allies Welcome, which brought approximately 76,000 Afghans to the U.S. after the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In response to the shooting, President Trump vowed to cancel all admissions and benefits for non-citizens, deport individuals deemed threats or not aligned with “Western civilization,” and initiate reverse migration. He labeled many Biden-approved migrants as “illegal” and ordered a review of asylum cases and green cards issued during the Biden administration. U.S. immigration services have since paused Afghan-related immigration processing.
Operation Allies Welcome was initiated during President Biden’s administration to resettle Afghans who had assisted U.S. forces. While the program aimed to honor commitments to those who supported American operations, critics—including President Trump and some Republicans—argue that the vetting process was inadequate and the operation chaotic.
Despite the controversy, resettled Afghans like Mohammad Saboor, who worked as an electrician and A/C technician with international and U.S. forces for 17 years, have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to rebuild their lives in safety in the U.S. The debate over the Afghan refugee program continues to highlight the challenges of balancing national security concerns with humanitarian obligations. As the situation develops, further policy decisions are anticipated to address these complex issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Operation Allies Welcome?
Operation Allies Welcome was a U.S. refugee resettlement program initiated during President Biden’s administration to bring approximately 76,000 Afghans to the U.S. after the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. The program aimed to resettle individuals who had assisted U.S. forces during the conflict.
Who is Rahmanullah Lakanwal?
Rahmanullah Lakanwal is an Afghan national who had previously worked with the CIA and was granted asylum under the Trump administration in April 2025. He is the suspect in a fatal shooting incident near the White House that has intensified criticism of the U.S. refugee resettlement program.
What actions has President Trump taken in response to the shooting?
In response to the shooting, President Trump announced plans to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries,” canceled all admissions and benefits for non-citizens, ordered a review of asylum cases and green cards issued during the Biden administration, and paused Afghan-related immigration processing.
How have resettled Afghans responded to the program?
Despite the controversy, resettled Afghans like Mohammad Saboor, who worked as an electrician and A/C technician with international and U.S. forces for 17 years, have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to rebuild their lives in safety in the U.S.
Key Features of the Afghan Refugee Program and Recent Developments
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Operation Allies Welcome |
| Initiated By | President Biden’s administration |
| Number of Afghans Resettled | Approximately 76,000 |
| Purpose | To resettle individuals who had assisted U.S. forces during the conflict in Afghanistan |
| Recent Incident | Fatal shooting near the White House involving Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national granted asylum under the Trump administration |
| President Trump’s Response | Announced plans to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries,” canceled admissions and benefits for non-citizens, ordered a review of asylum cases and green cards issued during the Biden administration, and paused Afghan-related immigration processing |
| Resettled Afghan’s Response | Mohammad Saboor, who worked with international and U.S. forces for 17 years, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to rebuild his life in safety in the U.S. |
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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
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