Holding Grief and Welcome in Tension

On Thanksgiving Day, two National Guard members were attacked in our nation’s capital. One, Sarah Beckstrom, tragically lost her life. The other, Andrew Wolf, remains in critical condition.

The alleged attacker? Rahmanullah Laghmanwal, an Afghan ally who resettled in the U.S. with his wife and five children.

So What Really Happened

This incident has sent shockwaves through the military, refugee, and faith communities alike. And while it would be easy to react with fear or suspicion, we believe followers of Jesus are called to respond with truth, wisdom, and compassion.

We sat down with Sean Driver, Navy veteran and president of Afghan EVAC, to understand the full story. And what he shared was both sobering and clarifying.

“This is not a scandal. This is a tragedy.”

Sean made it clear: this was not a failure of security vetting. Rahmanullah had been thoroughly screened multiple times by U.S. agencies—from Kabul, to a third country, to military bases here in the U.S. He was vetted again during his asylum and SIV applications. According to the National Counterterrorism Center, he passed with flying colors.

What was missed?

Mental health. Emails show Rahmanullah and those around him were seeking help as early as January 2024. Reports suggest he even reached out to the CIA for support. But in September 2025, key refugee support systems, including mental health services and food assistance, were quietly defunded.

This wasn’t just a gap in care. It was a full shutdown.

Ripple Effects on the Afghan Community

Afghan families across the country are now gripped with fear. Many are facing xenophobic backlash. Some worry they’ll be deported. Others are watching immigration interviews and refugee processing grind to a halt because of the actions of one man.

These are families who believed in the promise of America. Many served bravely beside our troops. Their daughters are in our schools. Their parents are working hard to rebuild their lives in safety.

They are now being collectively blamed for something they didn’t do.

Why This Matters for People of Faith

In times of crisis, it’s tempting to paint with a broad brush. But Jesus never did that.

He saw people as individuals. He moved toward the hurting. And He called us to love our neighbors, especially the marginalized.

This is our moment to embody Christ-like welcome. To stand with truth. To push back against fear. And to extend empathy rooted in proximity, not politics.

What You Can Do

Sean encouraged us to take specific actions. Here’s how you can help:

Support the Enduring Welcome Act.
This legislation helps restore relocation infrastructure and refugee support.
Call for more SIV visas.
Only 7,500 are left—and over 35,000 approved Afghan applicants are still waiting.
Ask your representatives to publicly affirm Afghan allies.
Words matter, especially right now.
Advocate for the return of mental health and refugee support programs.
We can’t welcome well if we don’t care well.

Yes, we mourn Sarah. We pray for Andrew. We grieve deeply. But we don’t have to abandon compassion in the process. As Christians, we can walk and grieve at the same time.
We can demand justice and still extend welcome. Let’s be the people who hold space for both.

Ready to take action?
Visit our Afghan Advocacy Page to call your lawmakers in less than 2 minutes.

Need help speaking up?
Download our free guide: Using Your Voice

When Tragedy Strikes