President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening his intention to permanently suspend migration to the United States from what he termed “third world countries,” marking one of the most significant immigration policy shifts of his administration.
Key Policy Announcements
In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump outlined several major immigration measures:
- Permanent pause on migration from developing nations
- Termination of federal benefits for noncitizens
- Removal of individuals deemed “not a net asset” to the country
- Enhanced vetting and security protocols
The president stated these actions would “allow the US system to fully recover” from previous immigration policies, though he did not specify which countries would be affected or provide implementation timelines.
Context Behind the Decision
The announcement follows a tragic incident in Washington DC, where an Afghan national allegedly shot two National Guard members, resulting in one fatality on Thursday. Trump cited this event as evidence of national security vulnerabilities in the current immigration system.
Officials identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwa, who reportedly entered the US in 2021 through a special immigration program for Afghans following America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. According to a former military commander, Lakanwa previously worked with the CIA and helped secure Kabul airport during evacuations.
Immediate Actions Already Underway
Afghan Immigration Suspended
On Wednesday, the US suspended all immigration request processing from Afghanistan pending a comprehensive review of security and vetting procedures.
Green Card Re-examination
US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced Thursday it would review green cards issued to individuals from 19 countries. A June White House proclamation identified six nations specifically: Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela.
The agency has not released details about the scope or methodology of these re-examinations.
Presidential Statement on Refugees
Trump linked refugees to what he described as “social dysfunction in America” and pledged to remove foreign nationals from any country “who do not belong here.” He emphasized that anyone not contributing positively to American society would face deportation.
The president framed these measures as necessary to protect American citizens’ living standards and address what he characterized as erosion caused by previous immigration policies.
Questions Remaining
Several critical details remain unclear:
- Which specific countries will be affected by the migration pause
- Timeline for implementation
- Legal framework for these restrictions
- Impact on existing visa holders and pending applications
- Definition of “net asset” for removal determinations
Immigration advocacy groups and legal experts are expected to scrutinize these proposals for constitutional and humanitarian concerns once formal policy documents are released.
Historical Context
This announcement represents a continuation of restrictive immigration policies that have characterized Trump’s approach to border security and foreign entry into the United States. The measures go further than previous travel restrictions by proposing a permanent rather than temporary suspension.
