President Donald Trump has indicated plans to intensify his immigration policies by committing to a “permanent suspension of migration” from all “developing nations,” criticizing the “refugee burden” faced by the United States.
This statement came in the wake of the shooting death of a member of the U.S. National Guard in Washington D.C., for which blame has been directed at an Afghan individual.
While Trump refrained from detailing which countries might be impacted by this plan, legal challenges are anticipated, and responses from humanitarian organizations have already emerged.
Changes in Immigration Policy
The president’s remarks following the recent tragic incident mark a significant shift towards a harsher immigration policy during his second administration.
Trump has aimed to implement large-scale deportations of undocumented migrants, significantly reduce the number of refugees allowed into the U.S. annually, and eliminate automatic citizenship rights for most individuals born on U.S. soil.
In response to the Washington D.C. incident, Trump asserted that he would expel any foreign national deemed undeserving of being in the U.S.
Suspension of Immigration Requests
On the same day, immigration requests from Afghans were suspended while a review of security and vetting protocols began.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also announced plans to reassess green cards granted to individuals from 19 specific countries, not explicitly referencing the recent attack.
Details of the USCIS Review
When asked which nations were included in this review, USCIS referred to a proclamation from June that named countries such as Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela without providing specifics about the reassessment process.
In a strongly worded message posted on social media, Trump further declared his intention to “terminate all federal assistance and benefits to noncitizens,” aiming to enable the U.S. system to recuperate from policies that, he claims, have undermined the well-being of many Americans.
Refugees and Social Issues
In his post, Trump attributed social issues in America to refugees and expressed his commitment to expel individuals who do not contribute positively to the U.S. economy.
This message, introduced as a “Happy Thanksgiving salute,” was filled with rhetoric against immigrants.
He specifically stated that “hundreds of thousands of refugees from Somalia” were entirely taking over Minnesota and criticized the state’s Democratic lawmakers for their policies.
“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover,” wrote the president.
International Reactions and Concerns
The term “third world” has historically described less economically developed nations.
Currently, there has been no further clarification from the White House or USCIS regarding Trump’s plans, which he did not directly associate with the recent shooting.
This year, Trump instituted a travel ban on nationals from Afghanistan and eleven other countries mainly located in Africa and Asia.
A previous travel ban on several majority-Muslim countries was also enacted during his initial term.
UN Response and Immigration Perspectives
The United Nations has called on the Trump administration to adhere to global agreements concerning asylum seekers.
In a critique of the president’s stance, Jeremy McKinney, the head of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, characterized the remarks as a means of scapegoating migrants.
Prior to Trump’s recent comments, McKinney pointed out that the motive behind such incidents is often not related to a person’s ethnicity or nationality.
“Issues of this nature do not discriminate based on skin color or nationality. A person can be radicalized or face mental health challenges regardless of their background,” he stated.
Details on the Suspect
The recent statements came after it was reported that the individual suspected in the D.C. shooting, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had immigrated to the U.S. in 2021.
He arrived through a specialized immigration program for Afghans who collaborated with U.S. military forces following the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Further details regarding Lakanwal’s connection to U.S. forces are still emerging.
It has been mentioned that he worked alongside the CIA and assisted in safeguarding U.S. personnel at Kabul airport during the chaotic evacuation process as the Taliban regained power.
Lakanwal’s Background
Having previously served in the Kandahar Strike Force, known as the Scorpion Forces, Lakanwal was employed by both the CIA and later the Afghan National Directorate of Security.
A former commander described him as a skilled GPS tracker and characterized him as a “sporty and jolly character.”
According to a senior U.S. official, Lakanwal underwent screening upon both his initial engagement with the CIA and prior to his relocation to the United States.
A childhood acquaintance noted that Lakanwal faced mental health struggles following his service with the unit.
Status of Asylum Claim
Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2024, receiving approval earlier this year, reportedly coinciding with Trump’s return to power.
However, his application for a green card, which relates to his asylum status, remains pending, as confirmed by a Homeland Security official.
After the attack, the suspect was taken into custody but has not been cooperating with investigators.
Trump labeled the incident as an “act of terror,” and later disclosed that one National Guard member had passed away due to the shooting.
Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old from West Virginia, participated in the National Guard’s deployment to Washington D.C. as part of efforts to address crime during the Thanksgiving week.
Attorney General Pam Bondi mentioned that Beckstrom had willingly volunteered to serve in D.C. during the holiday.
The other guard member, identified as 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, was reportedly “fighting for his life” following the incident.
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