ICE steps up Afghan arrests after D.C. attack
Immigration lawyers say ICE arrests of Afghan nationals have increased since the D.C. National Guard attack, and the White House on Dec. 1 said it is "actively reexamining" all Afghan nationals who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration. Reporting cites a Sacramento case of an Afghan father arrested upon check‑in with ICE despite consistent compliance, notes at least one arrest referenced prior domestic‑violence charges (AP could not independently verify all detainees’ immigration status), and advocacy group #AfghanEvac says the D.C. shooting suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had been granted asylum earlier this year.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- ICE arrests of Afghan nationals have increased following the D.C. National Guard attack, according to immigration lawyers reported by PBS News.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Dec. 1 the administration is "actively reexamining" all Afghan nationals who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration.
- PBS/ AP reporting cites a Sacramento case in which an Afghan father who had been consistently complying with requirements was arrested immediately upon checking in with ICE.
- In at least one arrest the government cited prior domestic‑violence arrests; AP noted it could not independently verify immigration‑status details for all detainees.
- Advocacy group #AfghanEvac says D.C. shooting suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal had been granted asylum earlier this year.
đź“Š Relevant Data
U.S. natives are 11.6 times more likely to be incarcerated than Afghan immigrants based on data up to 2021.
Afghan refugees are no threat to public safety — The CGO
More than 5,000 Afghans brought to the US after the 2021 withdrawal were flagged for national security issues, out of approximately 76,000 evacuees.
Over 5K Afghan migrants flagged on 'national security' grounds since 2021, document reveals — New York Post
Afghan immigrants in the United States numbered approximately 250,000 in 2022, representing about 0.4 percent of the total 46.2 million U.S. immigrants.
Afghan Immigrants in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
đź“° Sources (2)
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Dec. 1 the administration is 'actively reexamining' all Afghan nationals who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration.
- AP cites a specific Sacramento case: an Afghan father arrested immediately upon checking in at ICE despite consistent compliance, illustrating the on‑the‑ground implementation.
- In at least one arrest, the government cited prior domestic‑violence arrests; AP notes it could not independently verify immigration status details for all detainees.
- Advocacy group #AfghanEvac says D.C. shooting suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal had been granted asylum earlier this year.