In a significant policy shift following a fatal shooting incident near the White House, the Trump administration has declared a permanent suspension of migration from all nations classified as ‘Third World Countries.’ The announcement came late Thursday after an Afghan national, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, shot two U.S. National Guard members, resulting in the death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and critical injuries to 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe.
The Department of Homeland Security, when pressed for clarification regarding which nations fall under the ‘Third World’ designation, directed inquiries to the existing travel ban list encompassing 19 countries. This policy expansion builds upon the recent suspension of all U.S. immigration applications from Afghan nationals implemented after the Washington shooting.
President Trump characterized the measure as a necessary security precaution, though the administration provided no specific timeline for implementation or detailed criteria for the ‘Third World’ classification. The policy represents one of the most restrictive immigration measures undertaken by the administration, potentially affecting migration patterns from dozens of developing nations across multiple continents.
The tragic shooting incident that precipitated this policy change occurred in proximity to the presidential residence, amplifying security concerns and triggering immediate governmental response. The administration’s reference to the existing travel ban list suggests alignment with previously identified countries of concern, though the broader ‘Third World’ terminology implies a potentially much wider scope of affected nations.