In a sweeping executive action, President Donald Trump has declared a permanent halt to immigration from ‘Third World Countries.’ This decision comes in the wake of a recent shooting near the White House where an Afghan national attacked two National Guard members, resulting in one fatality. Trump asserts this pause is essential for the U.S. system to achieve a ‘full recovery.’
This directive significantly impacts individuals worldwide aspiring to immigrate to the U.S. for work, study, or asylum. President Trump articulated his reasoning on Truth Social, arguing that current immigration practices have undermined American progress and diminished living standards. He seeks to reverse what he views as detrimental policies.
The proposed measures are extensive, including the cancellation of millions of recent admissions, particularly those processed under the Biden administration. Trump intends to deport individuals who are not perceived as beneficial to the U.S. or who do not demonstrate loyalty. Additionally, he plans to eliminate federal support for non-citizens and revoke citizenship for migrants deemed disruptive, while also deporting those who pose a public safety risk or are deemed culturally incompatible.
Prior to this announcement, Trump had strongly denounced the shooting, calling it a ‘crime against humanity.’ He confirmed the suspect’s Afghan origin and arrival via a 2021 airlift, criticizing Afghanistan as a ‘hellhole.’ The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services had already suspended immigration processing for Afghan nationals indefinitely.