On the eve of Thanksgiving, just blocks from the White House, tragedy struck Washington, D.C. when two West Virginia National Guard members were shot in what authorities describe as a targeted attack. Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old serving her country to help pay for college, lost her life, while her fellow soldier, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in critical condition. The alleged attacker, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, is in custody and faces the prospect of the federal death penalty. The shock of this violence has not only rattled the capital but has also sent waves of fear and uncertainty through immigrant communities across the country, especially as the Trump administration responds with sweeping new immigration policies.
According to Los Angeles Times, President Trump wasted no time in using the incident to justify a hardline stance on immigration. In a series of statements and social media posts beginning December 1, 2025, Trump declared, "We don't want those people," directly referencing refugees from Third World countries. The White House even released a video of the president reciting the civil rights song "The Snake" by Oscar Brown Jr., juxtaposed with footage of immigration agents rounding up people of color. Trump’s rhetoric has become increasingly pointed, vowing to "remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country."
This shift in tone and policy is not limited to fiery speeches. The administration is now pursuing what it calls a "major reduction in illegal and disruptive populations" through aggressive deportations and even denaturalization of certain immigrants. The Labor Department and Department of Homeland Security have echoed these sentiments, posting messages referencing a fight for "Western Civilization" and calling for "Remigration"—terms closely associated with far-right ideology and the so-called Great Replacement Theory. As Los Angeles Times notes, these moves are not just about targeting violent criminals or those who crossed the border illegally, but about cultivating support among an increasingly vocal and exclusionary segment of the Republican base.
The immediate policy impact has been felt most acutely by immigrants and refugees, particularly those from Afghanistan and 18 other "countries of concern." As reported by The Seattle Times, the Trump administration issued a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) memo on December 3, 2025, that halts all asylum decisions for people currently in the U.S. and triggers a sweeping review of asylum approvals granted during the Biden administration. The issuance of special immigrant visas to Afghans who aided U.S. forces has been suspended, and immigration applications from nationals of 19 countries—mostly in the Middle East and Africa—are paused. Even green cards and other benefits already granted to people from these nations are now under reexamination.
In Washington state alone, the effects have been immediate and profound. Tens of thousands of residents are affected, including over 3,200 Afghan refugees who arrived in fiscal year 2024 and nearly 3,500 from the targeted countries who became lawful permanent residents in fiscal year 2023. The USCIS plans to prioritize reviews, interviews, and referrals to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within 90 days, leaving many in a state of limbo.
For individuals like S, an Afghan woman living in Tacoma who was granted asylum in 2022, the new policies have reignited old fears. "I would say to the judge, or whoever decides, that I would want to die here," she told The Seattle Times. "I will definitely be killed (if deported), but if I had the choice of dying here—" her voice trailed off, overcome with emotion. S’s story is not unique. She moved to the U.S. in 2015 for university, inspired by American values and literature. After experiencing threats and violence in Afghanistan, she sought refuge in America, only to now find her safety and future in jeopardy once again.
Local advocacy organizations are scrambling to respond. Alexandra Olins, director of employment and citizenship services at Asian Counseling and Referral Service in Seattle, recounted how clients from Afghanistan and Sierra Leone have had their citizenship interviews and oath ceremonies abruptly canceled, with no explanation or guidance about what comes next. "It’s just so cruel, and there’s no benefit from it. … It’s just this collective blanket punishment," Olins said.
Malou Chávez, executive director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, highlighted the lack of clarity and the sheer logistical challenge of reviewing so many cases. "There’s not much we can do. We have to wait to see what steps the administration will take," she explained. The nonprofit, which helps Afghans apply for asylum and other legal protections, is bracing for a surge of anxiety and legal uncertainty among its 200 clients.
The administration defends the new scrutiny as necessary in the wake of the D.C. shooting. The USCIS memo stated, "In light of identified concerns and the threat to the American people, USCIS has determined that a comprehensive re-review, potential interview, and re-interview of all aliens from high-risk countries of concern who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021 is necessary." Yet advocates point out that refugees and asylum seekers already undergo rigorous vetting, including multiple rounds of interviews, background checks, and medical screenings.
The fear is palpable in communities across the country. In Bellingham, Washington, Jeremy Dorrough, executive director of Racial Unity Now, described Afghan residents as "living in a state of terror right now." Many fear that returning to Afghanistan would be a death sentence, especially for those who aided U.S. forces. Even U.S. citizens from immigrant backgrounds are feeling the pressure. Eiman, a Seattle resident originally from Afghanistan, said her mother is now afraid to leave the house. "People are totally scared and afraid to go out," she said, adding that some have canceled holiday trips abroad for fear they won’t be allowed back into the U.S.
Somali immigrants have also been specifically targeted. Trump reportedly called Somali immigrants "garbage" and launched a major operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area targeting undocumented Somali residents. Farhiya Mohamed, executive director of the Somali Family Safety Task Force in Seattle, said, "Even citizens are scared, saying we don’t know what’s going on. Thirty years we’ve been here, we haven’t done anything." Her organization is now reaching out to legal experts and organizing community meetings to help people navigate the rapidly changing landscape.
Meanwhile, the broader consequences of these policies are being felt in schools, businesses, and neighborhoods. According to Los Angeles Times, immigrants—including those who have lived in the U.S. for decades—are retreating from public life, uncertain of their safety or future. The fear and confusion have even reached those with legal status, as the administration’s rhetoric and actions blur the lines between citizens, legal immigrants, and undocumented residents.
With the midterm elections less than a year away, concerns about voting rights and election integrity are also surfacing. Trump-aligned officials are reportedly working to restrict mail-in ballots and impose new identification requirements, measures that could disenfranchise marginalized groups, including naturalized citizens and women who have changed their names after marriage.
As the nation mourns Sarah Beckstrom and prays for Andrew Wolfe, the debate over immigration and national identity has reached a fever pitch. The stories of those caught in the crosshairs—people who came to America seeking safety, opportunity, and freedom—underscore the profound human cost of policy decisions made in the wake of tragedy. For many, the sense of security they once felt in the U.S. is slipping away, replaced by nightmares and uncertainty about what tomorrow may bring.
