The George W. Bush Institute has criticized the Trump administration’s policy of suspending the processing of immigration applications for Afghans and citizens of 18 countries, stressing that “people should not suffer because of the crimes of one individual.”
In a post on X on Saturday, December 20, the institute said that the actions of an individual accused of a horrific crime have disrupted the lawful immigration process for Afghans and other migrants, leaving Afghans facing uncertainty both in their own country and in the United States.
The Bush Institute added that instead of targeting all Afghans who are legally living in the United States, leaders should examine what measures could have prevented the tragedy.
The statement said the United States should support Afghans who, over the past two decades, have worked toward a better future and cooperated with the United States, and that they should not be forced to bear the burden of one person’s crimes.
In response, Stephen Miller, the White House homeland security adviser, described the Bush Institute’s stance as “encouraging unrestricted immigration from some of the world’s most dangerous countries,” and rejected it in a critical tone.
This comes after Rahmanullah Laknawal, a 29-year-old Afghan citizen, shot at two members of the U.S. National Guard near the White House, following which U.S. President Donald Trump halted the processing of Afghan refugee applications.
