Trump orders review of Green Cards from 19 'high‑risk' countries after DC shooting

US President Donald Trump announced sweeping new immigration measures, including a review of Green Cards from 19 "high-risk" countries, after a shooting near the White House left two National Guard service members critically wounded, one of whom later died. The incident took place just 900 metres from the White House when two soldiers on patrol near a metro station were ambushed at close range by a gunman. Other personnel rushed to the scene and returned fire, shooting the attacker multiple times and apprehending him on site. Eyewitnesses described broken glass at a bus stop, a vehicle being moved and medics attempting to resuscitate one of the soldiers in a tense and chaotic moment.

The deceased service member was identified as 20-year-old US Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, while 24-year-old US Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition. Both had volunteered for duty ahead of Thanksgiving and had been sworn in just 24 hours before the shooting. The suspect was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the United States in September 2021 under the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome programme. Reports said he had previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan and had applied for asylum in 2024, which was reportedly granted sometime in 2025. His motive remains under investigation. About 265,000 Afghans remain in the US immigration pipeline, many of whom worked with the US government and fled Taliban reprisals.

In response, Trump ordered an immediate, rigorous re-examination of Green Cards issued to immigrants from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela and Yemen. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the President had directed a full-scale review of Green Cards and authorised officers to treat country-specific risk factors as significant negatives during vetting. USCIS also halted processing of Afghan-related immigration requests, while enhanced screening was ordered for applicants from 19 high-risk countries previously covered under a travel ban proclamation.

Political pressure intensified rapidly, with Republican lawmakers demanding sweeping restrictions and criticising the Biden administration’s vetting process. Several senators and representatives called for mass deportations, tighter vetting laws and criminal accountability over the Afghanistan withdrawal and refugee screening failures.

The administration also moved to increase security in the capital. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that around 500 additional National Guard troops would be deployed to Washington, adding to the existing force of about 2,000 guardsmen. Trump said Washington was being overwhelmed by crime and justified the unilateral deployment. The White House issued a message honouring the National Guard and law enforcement as fear spread through the capital.

At the end of his address, Trump used brief, hardline language to outline his stance. He said, “This was an act of terror.” He added, “We must re-examine every single alien who entered from Afghanistan.” Calling it a national security threat, he vowed, “We will secure our capital.” He also said, “We will remove anyone who does not belong here.”