(CNN) — The suspect accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House came to the US through a Biden-era program to resettle Afghan nationals called Operation Allies Welcome, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Wednesday night.

Former President Joe Biden launched Operation Allies Welcome in August 2021 to protect vulnerable Afghans in the wake of the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan and as the Taliban regained control of the country.

Noem said the suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, arrived in the US on September 8, 2021. He applied for asylum in 2024 and was granted it the following year, under the Trump administration.

Most Afghans who arrived under Operation Allies Welcome were allowed to enter and remain in the US for two years, with no

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