In a dramatic policy announcement with far-reaching implications, former President Donald Trump has declared his intention to implement a comprehensive suspension of migration from what he termed “Third World Countries.” This decisive move comes in direct response to a recent ambush near the White House that resulted in the death of a National Guard member and critical injuries to another.
The attack, which investigators attribute to an Afghan national who entered the United States through a Biden-era resettlement program, has rapidly evolved into a significant political flashpoint. Trump utilized his Truth Social platform to outline his proposed measures, which include terminating millions of immigration approvals granted during the Biden administration and eliminating federal benefits for noncitizens.
According to government documents reviewed by Reuters, the alleged perpetrator, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the country in 2021 under a program established following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump characterized the evacuation effort as “horrendous,” claiming it allowed hundreds of thousands of individuals to enter the country “unvetted and unchecked.”
In addition to the migration pause, Trump’s proposal includes provisions to denaturalize migrants deemed to “undermine domestic tranquility” and deport foreign nationals classified as public charges or security risks. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has already indefinitely halted processing immigration requests from Afghan nationals.
The policy announcement has generated considerable concern among immigrant communities and advocacy groups. Many Afghans currently residing in the United States reportedly fear both official retaliation and xenophobic attacks despite having no connection to the incident. Advocacy leaders emphasize that one individual’s actions should not endanger entire communities who fled persecution and supported U.S. interests abroad.
The White House and relevant immigration authorities have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding Trump’s proposals. This development signals a potential return to the hardline immigration policies that characterized Trump’s previous administration and is expected to intensify debates surrounding national security, immigration vetting procedures, and humanitarian obligations.