Lawmakers, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), are facing renewed criticism online following the fatal shooting of National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, suspected gunman Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, arrived under the Afghan evacuation system launched during the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Kabul. The case has prompted critics to reexamine congressional actions taken during that period — including bipartisan support from Cornyn and Crenshaw for efforts to accelerate Afghan admissions.
Cornyn Co-Sponsored Bill Waiving Pre-Arrival Medical Exams
In June 2021, Cornyn co-introduced the HOPE for Afghan SIVs Act alongside Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA). The legislation authorized the Departments of State and Homeland Security to waive the required pre-arrival medical exam for qualifying Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants.
Cornyn defended the bill at the time, saying Afghan interpreters and translators who assisted U.S. forces needed a faster path to safety:
“The HOPE for Afghan SIVs Act will remove one hurdle that prevents them from quickly escaping the dangers they face in Afghanistan due to their service to our troops.”
The HOPE Act allowed medical exams to occur after entry rather than before, enabling expedited relocation.
Crenshaw Urged DHS and State Dept. to Expedite Afghan Processing
Crenshaw also publicly pressed the administration to accelerate admissions from Afghanistan.
In a June 25, 2021, letter co-signed with Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Crenshaw urged DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to “immediately begin the process of reviewing the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program” to address delays.
Dan Crenshaw wrote a letter asking the federal government to speed up the importation of Afghan nationals pic.twitter.com/1t08CQAGM8
— Kenny Webster (@KennethRWebster) November 30, 2025
The letter asked the administration to:
- Expedite SIV adjudication
- Prioritize clearing backlogs
- Allow recipients access to financial assistance for emergency evacuation flights
Crenshaw wrote: “These Afghan civilians were critical to the United States’ mission in Afghanistan and must be included in our evacuation plan.”
Biden Administration Moved to Evacuate Afghans Ahead of Withdrawal
Days before Kabul fell, the Biden administration prepared to relocate thousands of Afghan interpreters and support personnel to U.S. territories and third-country sites while their applications were processed.
Officials at the time acknowledged that tens of thousands of Afghan nationals were at risk as the Taliban advanced.
Criticism Surges After Beckstrom’s Killing
The renewed scrutiny comes after Lakanwal allegedly shot two National Guard members near the White House on November 26. Beckstrom later died of her injuries.
DHS Inspector General findings published in 2022 revealed that federal screening during the 2021 evacuation suffered from incomplete or missing biographic data, inconsistent identity verification, and instances in which evacuees were admitted without full vetting — as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Following the attack, commentators revisited the votes and letters from 2021.
A user on X wrote: “Why Texas needs to rid ourselves from John Cornyn.”
Radio host Kenny Webster posted: “Dan Crenshaw wrote a letter asking the federal government to speed up the importation of Afghan nationals.”
The Dallas Express reached out to Cornyn and Crenshaw for comment on the renewed criticism but did not receive a response.
