Afghans living in the US have condemned Wednesday's deeply tragic deadly shooting attack in Washington DC, while stressing that the suspect - who moved to the US from Afghanistan four years ago - does not represent them.
The alleged gunman, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered America under a programme that offered special immigration protections to Afghans who worked with the US during its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed in Wednesday's shooting, and a colleague, Andrew Wolfe, 24, is said to be fighting for his life.
In response, US President Donald Trump has halted the processing of all immigration requests from Afghans, ordered a review of green cards issued to individuals from 19 countries, and threatened a wider crackdown on migrants from what he calls third-world countries.
The Afghan Community Coalition of the United States expressed its sympathy for the victims' families, calling for a comprehensive investigation but urging the government not to delay or suspend Afghan immigration claims. Twenty years of Afghan-US partnership must not be forgotten, they stated, acknowledging the longstanding relationship established during the US involvement in Afghanistan.
Afghans in America expressed horror at the shooting, emphasizing that it was the action of one individual, not a reflection of their community as a whole. They highlighted their contributions as hard-working, tax-paying members of society who are grateful for the evacuation efforts during the Kabul crisis.
As the shooting unfolded shortly before Thanksgiving amid a politically charged environment, many Afghans commented on the need for understanding and support rather than generalizations made about their community. They urged a continuation of immigration support, voicing concern over the potential impacts of the halted immigration processing on their future and the fate of their families in Afghanistan.
