Operation Allies Welcome Scrutinized After DC Shooting Susident Entry

A shooting suspect in Washington, D.C. has been identified as an Afghan national. The man, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is 29 years old. He was taken into custody after being shot by other guardsmen. This incident occurred near a sensitive security area.

Law-enforcement sources confirmed his entry path. Lakanwal entered the United States through Operation Allies Welcome. This was the major resettlement program following the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. His background has ignited a fierce debate on vetting procedures.

What is Operation Allies Welcome?

The Department of Homeland Security launched Operation Allies Welcome. Its start date was August 29, 2021. The goal was to coordinate the resettlement of vulnerable Afghans. This included interpreters and others who aided the U.S. mission.

The program involved multiple security agencies. Screening was conducted by the FBI and intelligence community. According to CBS News, this was a massive logistical effort. Tens of thousands of people were brought into the country under humanitarian parole.

Security Vetting Under the Microscope

The suspect’s background is now a central focus. Officials settled Lakanwal in Bellingham, Washington. This detail was reported by the New York Post. The news has prompted immediate scrutiny from lawmakers and security experts.

Opponents of the program point to existing warnings. A Department of Justice assessment had previously noted difficulties. The rapid pace of the evacuation made full vetting a challenge. This increased the risk of bad actors entering the country, the report found.

The political fallout is significant. The program, initiated under the Biden administration, now faces renewed criticism. The central question is whether security was compromised for speed. This event will likely influence future immigration and refugee policy debates.

The identification of the DC shooting suspect has thrust Operation Allies Welcome back into the national spotlight. The program’s vetting process is now under intense review. This case highlights the enduring complexities of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Info at your fingertips

What is Operation Allies Welcome?

It was a U.S. government program to resettle vulnerable Afghans. This included interpreters and embassy staff. It began after the 2021 military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Who is Rahmanullah Lakanwal?

He is the 29-year-old Afghan national identified as the suspect in the Washington, D.C. shooting. Law enforcement sources say he entered the U.S. through the Operation Allies Welcome program.

How many people came to the U.S. through this program?

Tens of thousands of Afghan evacuees were brought into the United States. They underwent security screening before being resettled in communities across the country.

What are the security concerns about the program?

Critics argue the evacuation’s urgency compromised thorough vetting. A government report noted the rapid pace increased the risk that individuals with malicious intent could enter.

Where was the shooting suspect living in the U.S.?

Rahmanullah Lakanwal had been resettled in Bellingham, Washington. This information was confirmed by law-enforcement sources to news outlets.

Trusted Sources

CBS News, New York Post, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.