The US Department of Homeland Security has released photographs of several Afghan nationals accused of terrorism related activity and major criminal offences, saying they had “rewarded American generosity with violence.”
According to the department, the individuals were allowed to remain in the United States under the Biden administration but later carried out acts of violence or other crimes. DHS said Americans “do not have to suffer violence from people who should not be here at all.” The department added that all of the individuals identified will be removed from the country, while one had already been killed in a confrontation with police.
Jamal Wali, an Afghan national admitted under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome, shot and wounded two Virginia police officers during a traffic stop, DHS said. He was killed by return fire after shouting, “I should have served with the f–king Taliban.”
In a separate case, Abdullah Haji Zada and Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, both granted legal status by the Biden administration, were arrested and prosecuted for plotting a terrorist attack in Oklahoma City during the 2024 elections. DHS said they had pledged allegiance to ISIS and were found with hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Another individual, Mohammad Kharwin, was listed on the terrorism watchlist and detained by US Border Patrol in 2024. DHS said he was nevertheless released into the country under the Biden administration and lived freely for more than a year before being arrested again.
DHS also listed Jawed Ahmadi, described as an undocumented Afghan “criminal.” He was arrested in 2025 by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and convicted of second degree assault, despite previously having been authorised to remain in the United States.
Another Afghan national, Bahrullah Noori, who had left the United States, was detained at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin and charged with attempting to engage in sexual acts with a minor.
DHS also identified Zabiullah Mohmand, who had been resettled in Montana under the Biden administration and was charged with raping a teenage girl in a motel room in Missoula.
The department said the listed individuals represented “just a few of the criminals who were said to be fully vetted by the Biden administration.”
The announcement followed another high profile incident in which an Afghan suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, shot two US National Guard members in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. One of the soldiers, twenty year old Sarah Beckstrom, later died from her injuries.
US President Donald Trump said all cases of Afghans who entered the country during Joe Biden’s presidency would be reviewed again. He said, “We must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country.”
On Thursday, the US immigration agency said it had immediately suspended processing of all Afghan immigration applications. The US State Department also announced an immediate halt to the issuance of visas for all individuals holding Afghan passports.
