After Washington Shooting, Afghan Migrants Face Increased ICE Detentions

DID Press: Following November 26 shooting of two National Guard members in Washington by a recently arrived Afghan refugee, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has intensified detentions of Afghan nationals, raising widespread concern among families and migrant communities.

The shooter, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Laknawal, had been granted asylum in the United States earlier this year. Since the incident, at least 23 Afghan nationals have been detained, mostly in Northern California, according to Associated Press data. Local volunteers report that in just the past week, nine Afghans were detained after being summoned to ICE offices. Many of the detainees had either applied for asylum at the southern U.S. border or arrived under the “Operation Allies Welcome” program following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In Sacramento, one Afghan family reported the sudden detention of the father while attending a routine check-in at an ICE office. Volunteer Jisel Garcia described the scene: “He tried to stay strong in front of his wife and children, but the anxiety and fear were palpable.” The family had fled Afghanistan due to threats from the Taliban and collaboration with the U.S. military.

White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt said the administration is reviewing the status of all Afghans who arrived under the Biden administration. The Department of Homeland Security emphasized that its goal is to identify and detain “terrorists and illegal criminals.”

However, activists and some members of Congress have criticized the actions as a form of “collective punishment.” Democratic Representative Ami Bera stated, “A terrible incident occurred, but it was the act of one individual. Many Afghans risked their lives to protect U.S. forces.”

The sudden cancellation of immigration interviews and the presence of officers outside homes has fueled fear and distrust among Afghan communities in the U.S. Garcia recounted hearing handcuffs being applied to the father from behind a wall. The mother broke into tears outside the office, while their daughter tried to comfort her, saying, “Mom, don’t cry. When Dad comes back, everything will be fine.”

The Washington shooting has intensified both security and psychological pressures on Afghan migrants in the United States, leaving their futures increasingly uncertain.