President Donald Trump announced a sweeping “permanent pause” on migration from what he described as “Third World Countries,” following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., one of whom later died. An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, has been identified as the primary suspect in the attack.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump outlined a series of immigration measures, stating he would “terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden’s Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country.” He added that all federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens would end and that migrants who undermine domestic tranquility would be subject to denaturalization and deportation.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an immediate suspension of all immigration requests from Afghan nationals and a “full-scale, rigorous re-examination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern,” as directed by the president. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow clarified that the review would target nationals of 19 countries listed in a June proclamation, including Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela.
The Trump administration has previously implemented travel bans and frozen refugee admissions, citing national security concerns. Refugees and green card holders from affected countries may face heightened scrutiny, longer processing times, and additional background checks, though existing residency statuses cannot be revoked arbitrarily without due process.
International agencies have expressed concern over the impact of the policy. A UN spokesperson emphasized that all countries, including the United States, are expected to honor their commitments under the 1951 Refugee Convention. Analysts have warned that such restrictions may disrupt family reunification, hinder lawful migration, and contribute to the dehumanization of migrants.
Trump characterized the measures as necessary to protect American citizens and strengthen the immigration system. “The protection of this country and of the American people remains paramount,” Edlow emphasized, reflecting the administration’s position on the ongoing review.
