President Outlines Drastic Immigration Measures
United States President Donald Trump announced late Thursday, November 27, 2025, his intention to implement a 'permanent pause' on migration from what he termed 'Third World Countries.' The declaration, made via a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, also included plans to terminate federal benefits for non-citizens and review millions of past admissions. This sweeping policy shift comes in the immediate aftermath of a fatal shooting incident in Washington, D.C.
Response to National Guard Shooting Incident
The President's announcement directly followed a shooting on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, near the White House, which resulted in the death of National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically wounded Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24. The suspect in the shooting was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national. Lakanwal reportedly entered the U.S. in September 2021 under the Operation Allies Welcome program during the Biden administration and was granted asylum in 2025 under the current Trump administration.
In his statement, President Trump asserted that the migration pause was necessary 'to allow the U.S. system to fully recover.' He also vowed to 'terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions' and 'remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country.'
New Directives for Immigration Agencies
Following the President's remarks, several federal agencies initiated immediate actions:
- The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indefinitely suspended the processing of all immigration requests related to Afghan nationals.
- USCIS Director Joseph Edlow ordered a 'full-scale, rigorous re-examination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.'
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expanded this review to include all asylum cases approved under the previous Biden administration.
- The State Department immediately paused the issuance of visas for individuals traveling on Afghan passports.
President Trump further stated his administration would 'end all Federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens' and deport foreign nationals deemed a 'security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization,' or a 'public charge.' He also mentioned plans to 'denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility.'
Defining 'Third World Countries' and Potential Impact
While President Trump did not explicitly define which nations fall under his 'Third World Countries' designation, the term is widely considered outdated. However, USCIS referenced a June 2025 travel ban list that included 19 countries of concern. These nations are: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Yemen.
The implementation of such a broad migration pause and benefit cuts is expected to face significant legal and logistical challenges, as previous immigration restrictions by the administration have encountered. Legal experts have noted that the phrase 'permanent pause' lacks statutory meaning under existing immigration law.
5 Comments
ZmeeLove
About time we re-evaluate who we let into this country. Security is paramount.
Michelangelo
There's a clear need to review immigration policies and ensure national safety, especially after this incident. Yet, the language used about 'Third World Countries' and 'Western Civilization' is divisive and risks alienating allies.
Coccinella
This is un-American. We are a nation of immigrants, not fear-mongers.
Bella Ciao
The death of a National Guard specialist is heartbreaking, and vetting processes need to be robust. However, painting all migrants as a threat and cutting essential benefits could lead to a humanitarian crisis.
Muchacha
Collective punishment is never the answer. This demonizes entire groups of people.