CNN: Its Latest Moves and Market Position

Title: The Asylum Application Paradox: A Data Point the Media Missed

The recent shooting involving an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has ignited a predictable firestorm of political commentary. News outlets, including `cnn news` and `fox news`, are highlighting the fact that Lakanwal's asylum application was approved during the Trump administration, while he entered the US under Biden's "Operation Allies Welcome." But what's missing from the narrative is a clear-eyed look at the process itself and the data surrounding asylum approvals.

The Vetting Vortex

Let's break down the timeline. Lakanwal arrived in the summer of 2021, applied for asylum in December 2024, and was approved in April of this year. CNN's John Miller notes that the individual "must have done work either for or with the United States in Afghanistan to become part of the Allies Welcome program." The process involves recommendations by U.S. personnel and vetting via government background checks.

But here's the paradox. The very nature of asylum cases makes thorough vetting exceptionally difficult. Applicants are often fleeing unstable situations, making documentation scarce. Background checks in conflict zones are, shall we say, less than reliable. So, while multiple layers of "vetting" are touted, the actual effectiveness is questionable. How much reliable data could really be gathered from Afghanistan in the summer of 2021?

And this is the part of the narrative that I find genuinely puzzling. The media circus focuses on which administration approved the application, rather than how such approvals are made in the first place. The focus is misplaced.

The Trump-Biden Approval Rate Discrepancy

Now, let's look at the approval rates themselves. While the media is quick to point fingers, are there significant differences in asylum approval rates between the Trump and Biden administrations? Data from the Department of Justice shows some fluctuation, but not necessarily a stark partisan divide. Approval rates depend heavily on the applicant's country of origin, the specific legal arguments presented, and the presiding judge (a factor rarely discussed in mainstream reporting).

For instance, data reveals that asylum approval rates for Afghan nationals increased after the Taliban takeover (a parenthetical clarification: this is logical, given the increased risk to those who worked with the U.S.). But even pre-takeover, approval rates varied widely based on factors unrelated to who was in the White House.

The claim that one administration is inherently "tougher" or "softer" on asylum is a gross oversimplification. It's more accurate to say that policies shift, priorities change, and the individual circumstances of each case dictate the outcome.

The Media's Misdirection

The coverage of this incident, particularly Trump's response and Tiffany Cross's critique of the `cnn news` media's coverage of Trump, highlights a disturbing trend: the exploitation of tragedy for political gain. Cross rightly points out the media's tendency to normalize Trump's behavior, but the asylum approval case is a perfect example. It's easier to blame a political opponent than to grapple with the complexities of immigration policy. Tiffany Cross Rips Media On CNN After 'Ugly' Trump Attack

Bari Weiss's ideas for CNN, as reported, seem to lean towards further sensationalism ("Saturday night debates in front of a live audience"). This suggests a continued prioritization of entertainment over substantive analysis.

The focus on the "ambush" narrative – as CNN reported, with video capturing the moment – further obscures the underlying issues. While the violence is undeniable, it serves as a distraction from the systemic challenges within the asylum process.

Just Another Data Point in a Broken System

The shooting is a tragedy, and the suspect's background warrants scrutiny. But framing it as a simple case of administrative oversight is intellectually dishonest. The real story is the inherent difficulty of balancing security concerns with humanitarian obligations within a system riddled with uncertainty. Until we address the fundamental flaws in the asylum process, these tragedies will continue, and the media will keep missing the point.