Trump Unveils Sweeping Immigration Crackdown After D.C. Shooting
President Donald Trump on Thursday outlined a series of new immigration proposals, including a temporary suspension of migration from what he described as “Third World Countries” and the elimination of federal benefits and subsidies for noncitizens residing in the United States.
The announcement came in two posts on Truth Social late Thursday night. Trump said he intended to “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover,” though the administration has not provided a definition for what classifications would determine a “third world” nation. The term is generally used to refer to countries with higher poverty rates or significant economic instability.
Trump also said he would cancel what he described as “millions” of immigration admissions approved under the Biden administration and remove individuals he characterized as “not a net asset to the United States” or “incapable of loving our Country.”
In outlining additional proposals, the President said he would seek to end all federal benefits and subsidies for noncitizens, “denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility,” and deport individuals he described as “public charges, security risks, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.”
The comments followed a shooting near the White House on Wednesday in which two National Guard members were wounded. One service member died from her injuries the following day. Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as an Afghan national.
Hours after the incident, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow posted on X that the agency would begin reviewing all Green Card holders from “countries of concern.” USCIS also announced the immediate and indefinite suspension of immigration requests involving Afghan nationals.
The administration has advanced a series of immigration restrictions since Trump returned to office earlier this year. In June, the President announced a broad travel ban affecting immigrants from 19 countries, including Afghanistan.