Homeland Security Secretary Proposes Expanded Travel Ban Following National Guard Shooting

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has proposed a comprehensive travel ban targeting countries she claims are contributing to criminal activity in the United States. This recommendation follows a recent incident in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were shot, resulting in one fatality and one critical injury. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program.

In a statement on social media, Noem expressed her intent to recommend "a full travel ban on every damn country that's been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies."

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has yet to specify which countries would be affected by the proposed ban. A DHS spokesperson indicated that an official list would be announced soon.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that President Donald Trump had previously announced a travel ban on 19 countries, primarily in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Noem's recent recommendation aims to expand this list to include additional nations.

The shooting incident occurred near the White House, where National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were attacked. Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries, while Wolfe remains in serious condition but has shown signs of improvement.

Lakanwal, the suspect, had previously worked with CIA-backed units in Afghanistan before resettling in the U.S. under the Biden administration's resettlement program. He was granted asylum in April 2025 under the Trump administration.

In response to the shooting, the Trump administration has paused asylum decisions and visa issuance for Afghan nationals. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also deployed an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to bolster security measures.

The Afghan Community Coalition of the United States has expressed sympathy for the victims' families and called for a comprehensive investigation, emphasizing that the act was committed by an individual and should not reflect on the broader Afghan community.

The United Nations has urged the U.S. to adhere to international agreements concerning asylum seekers in light of these developments.