Trump Proposes Immigration Ban from “Third World Countries”
Late Thursday, President Trump announced plans to “permanently halt” immigration from all “Third World countries” as a strategy to help the U.S. economy “fully recover.” He shared this on his social media platform, expressing concerns about current immigration policies undermining living conditions for many Americans.
In his statement, Trump declared, “I will permanently halt immigration from all Third World countries, end all of Biden’s millions of illegal immigration initiatives, including those enacted by his autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States.” His goal seems focused on recovering the system, though specifics on how this might play out remain unclear.
Furthermore, he stated his intent to eliminate federal benefits for “noncitizens.” He emphasized a commitment to “denaturalize immigrants who undermine domestic peace” and deport those who pose security risks or are “incompatible with Western civilization.”
“Only reverse immigration can cure this situation,” he asserted, adding a rather ominous note about those who “hate, steal, kill, and destroy everything America stands for.” The tone suggests a strong, perhaps exaggerated, divide between those he sees as threats and the rest of the population.
This announcement follows a tragic incident where two National Guard soldiers were ambushed near the White House, allegedly by an Afghan national named Rahmanullah Rakanwar. It’s reported that Rakanwar entered the U.S. in 2021 as part of a program for Afghan allies, creating a complicated backdrop for Trump’s immigration stance.
Rakanwar, a member of Afghanistan’s elite NDS-03 counterterrorism unit, was noted for cooperating with U.S. intelligence. He applied for asylum in late 2024, receiving approval under the previous administration. This raises questions about how former policies might impact current security concerns.
Following the shooting that left one soldier dead and another injured, Trump’s administration has indicated that a comprehensive review of green card holders from various countries is on the table. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Commissioner Joseph Edlow stated that a rigorous screening process for green card holders from at least 19 countries will be initiated.
Additionally, the administration announced an indefinite pause on immigration applications from Afghan nationals while procedures are reevaluated. This swift response highlights the urgency felt within the administration regarding perceived threats related to immigration. It’s a moment where feelings of safety and security are clearly intermingling with public policy.
