President Donald Trump revealed plans to implement a substantial and extended halt to asylum applications entering the United States. During a conversation with journalists, Trump articulated his belief that many asylum seekers pose a risk, stating, “Many of them are no good.” He elaborated that individuals from certain nations, including Somalia, are perceived as problematic due to perceived governmental instability and internal conflict. These individuals, he asserted, do not belong in the U.S.
When pressed on the duration of the asylum pause, Trump indicated it would be indefinite, stating, “For a long time. No time limit.” He emphasized that the nation is already facing numerous challenges and does not require individuals from countries that are “not friendly to us” or are “out of control.” The President suggested that more than 19 countries could be affected by this sweeping policy, characterizing them as nations rife with crime and lacking in positive development.
This significant policy shift was framed within a broader critique of past immigration practices. Trump strongly condemned the prior Biden administration’s approach, alleging it led to the admission of “unchecked and unvetted” individuals. He directly implicated former Vice President Kamala Harris, who oversaw border security, in what he described as a failure to manage the nation’s borders effectively.
In a related development, the Department of Homeland Security has suspended processing immigration requests from Afghan nationals. The recent shooting incident involving National Guard members near the White House has amplified these concerns. Officials have linked the suspect’s immigration status to the previous administration’s policies, suggesting a direct causal relationship between those decisions and the tragic loss of life experienced by the National Guard.