USCIS unveils major change hours after Afghan national shoots two National Guard members near White House

The announcement came hours after authorities identified the suspected gunman as an Afghan national, who was taken into custody.

The suspect reportedly entered the United States in 2021.

In an official statement on X, USCIS said, “Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.”

The agency added that protecting the homeland and ensuring the safety of the American people “remains our singular focus and mission.”

President Donald Trump, who was in Florida at the time of the incident, confirmed that the suspect entered the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2021, describing him as “a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan, a hellhole on Earth,” in a video statement, reported CBS News.

CBS cited multiple law enforcement sources identifying the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on X that the suspect was among those paroled into the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome in September 2021.

She noted that he was one of “the many unvetted” individuals admitted under the program.

The shooting occurred less than two blocks from the White House, leaving two National Guard personnel in critical condition.

Authorities described the suspect as a lone assailant.