Staff Reports
As the dust continues to settle from America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, recent revelations have resurfaced old concerns about national security and immigration policy. The tragic death of a National Guard member and serious injuries to another have put the spotlight on a serious matter involving Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a figure who allegedly descended into extremism after arriving in the United States. Alarmingly, investigators believe that his radicalization occurred right on American soil, despite existing warnings about his mental instability dating back to early 2023.
The whole saga highlights the aching need for robust vetting processes—a seemingly foreign concept during the hasty Afghan evacuation of 2021. With over 124,000 people being airlifted in just 17 days, one could be forgiven for questioning the quality of background checks done at the time, if there were any at all. The scene at the evacuation has been compared to a chaotic stampede, with planeloads of unvetted individuals arriving in the United States. Frustratingly, this lapse in due diligence has left the door ajar for potential threats to national safety.
The disastrous pullout was a bitter pill to swallow, orchestrated with missteps that rival a slapstick comedy, though the repercussions have been anything but funny. The lack of discernible vetting now affects everyone, from genuinely deserving war allies to unvetted individuals disguised as refugees. It’s a reminder that hasty policy decisions can lead to prolonged chaos. Indeed, the sad irony is that while some genuine allies sought refuge, the system’s failure to discern has sadly left even them voiceless and cornered.
Washington State officials express regret for not taking action against Lakanwal, who repeatedly failed to check in as required. Their inaction highlights the critical gaps in the immigration system. While finger-pointing seems to be the order of the day, one can’t help but wonder how many more warnings will be ignored before meaningful reforms are enacted. The situation underscores the crucial need for America to regain control over its immigration system—unless there is a desire to field a growing list of “should-have-been-avoided” tragedies.
Securing the nation’s borders is not just an ideological stance—it’s a matter of national security as potent today as it was in the days following September 11, 2001. This is a wake-up call to reevaluate lax policies and ensure that, moving forward, immigration benefits vetted and deserving individuals. As calls for policy overhaul grow louder, it might just be high time to halt the open-door practices that have ill-equipped states across America to handle these looming threats. Let’s hope this recent incident lights a fire under policy makers to swiftly address these urgent matters and ensure America remains secure for all its citizens.
