In a significant escalation of his immigration policy agenda, former President Donald Trump declared a permanent suspension of migration from numerous countries his administration has classified as posing national security risks. The announcement was made via his Truth Social platform on Thanksgiving, framing the measure as essential for national recovery and security.
The policy directive specifically targets migration from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. This action is presented as a means to terminate millions of admissions granted under the previous administration and to remove individuals deemed not to be a ‘net asset’ to the United States.
Further measures outlined include the cessation of all federal benefits and subsidies for noncitizens, the initiation of denaturalization proceedings for migrants accused of undermining domestic tranquility, and the deportation of foreign nationals classified as public charges, security risks, or incompatible with Western civilization. The Department of Homeland Security referenced a June 2025 proclamation as the foundational document for these security-based restrictions.
The announcement follows a tragic shooting incident in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were attacked, resulting in one fatality and one critical injury. The suspect, identified as an Afghan national who had previously collaborated with U.S. government agencies and arrived through a resettlement program, was cited by Trump to bolster his rhetoric on immigration threats.
In his social media post, Trump criticized what he termed the ‘politically correct’ stance on immigration, attributing social dysfunction and violence to refugee populations and making sweeping allegations about welfare dependency and criminal backgrounds among foreign nationals. The statements also included personal attacks against specific communities and elected officials, repeating previously debunked claims.