29.11.2025 08:50
The U.S. State Department has suspended visa issuance to Afghan passport holders following an attack in which a National Guard member was killed near the White House. The department announced that the decision took effect immediately on the grounds of "national security."
The U.S. Department of State announced that it has suspended visa issuance for Afghan passport holders.
In a statement made on the department's social media account, it was reported that the issuance of visas to individuals traveling with Afghan passports has been immediately suspended.
The statement said, "The Department is taking all necessary measures to protect U.S. national and public security."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a post on the social media platform X regarding the issue, stated, "The protection of our country and our people is the highest priority for the U.S."
This decision by the Department came after two National Guards stationed near the White House were shot, one of whom lost their life.
ATTACK IN WASHINGTON D.C.
The Washington Police Department reported that around 2:15 PM local time on Wednesday, two National Guards stationed near the White House were shot, and the suspect was apprehended.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that according to their findings, the attacker was a single individual, and this person has been taken into custody.
U.S. District Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro shared that the suspect in the attack is 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, and the injured National Guard members are 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe.
Pirro added that the suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal would be charged with first-degree murder due to the death of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, whom he targeted in the attack.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also announced in a press conference during his trip to the Dominican Republic that the number of National Guards in the capital would be increased following the attack, and that 500 new soldiers would be deployed to Washington at the direction of President Trump.