Fri Nov 28 01:21:18 UTC 2025: ## News Article:
Afghan National Shoots Two National Guard Members in D.C., Sparks Fears of Backlash Against Refugee Community
SEATTLE, November 28, 2025 (The Hindu e-Paper) – A shooting in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, November 27, has left refugee advocates deeply concerned about potential repercussions for Afghan nationals and other refugee communities in the United States. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national, is accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members stationed in the capital.
Lakanwal, who resided in Bellingham, Washington, reportedly worked with a special CIA-backed Afghan Army unit before emigrating. According to #AfghanEvac, an organization assisting in Afghan resettlement, Lakanwal sought asylum under the Biden administration and was approved this year following a vetting process.
The incident has triggered widespread anxiety within the Afghan community, with many fearing xenophobic attacks and increased scrutiny from immigration officials. Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, described the community as “terrified,” emphasizing that the actions of one individual should not be used to stigmatize an entire population.
President Trump has stated his administration will review the cases of all individuals who entered the country from Afghanistan during the Biden administration, a measure that was reportedly already under consideration prior to the shooting.
Refugee organizations are urging calm and caution against collective punishment. Ambassador Ashraf Haidari, founder of Displaced International, called for a thorough investigation and justice for the victims but cautioned against allowing “one individual’s alleged actions” to “define, burden, or endanger entire communities.”
Matthew Soerens, a vice president with World Relief, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the perpetrator should face justice under the law, “regardless of the alleged perpetrator’s nationality, religion or specific legal status.” He urged the country to recognize that the evil actions were those of one person, not to unfairly judge others who happen to share those same characteristics.
The investigation is ongoing, and the incident has ignited a debate about refugee vetting processes and the potential for backlash against vulnerable communities.
First Piper 