Trump Moves to Suspend Immigration from Developing Nations
UPDATE: President Donald Trump has just announced a sweeping suspension of immigration from all “Third World Countries” in response to a tragic shooting incident in downtown Washington, D.C. The declaration, made late Thursday night via a post on Truth Social, aims to “permanently pause migration” to allow the U.S. immigration system to recover.
This urgent decision follows the fatal shooting near the White House earlier this week, where a National Guard member was killed and another critically injured. The shooter, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, entered the U.S. in September 2021 as part of a wave of Afghan refugees after the U.S. troop withdrawal. His case has intensified scrutiny on current U.S. immigration policies.
In his announcement, Trump stated he would also “terminate” the immigration status of millions granted under former President Joe Biden‘s administration and remove individuals deemed not beneficial to the U.S. He emphasized plans to cut “Federal benefits and subsidies” for noncitizens and deport foreign nationals considered security risks.
Earlier today, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed a comprehensive review of asylum cases approved under Biden’s tenure. This includes a “full-scale, rigorous reexamination” of green cards for immigrants from 19 countries considered “of concern,” notably including Afghanistan, Cuba, and Venezuela.
The announcement has triggered widespread reactions, with officials emphasizing that current immigration policies facilitated the presence of the suspect in the U.S. before the shooting. Trump criticized the Biden administration’s handling of immigration, asserting the need for immediate reforms.
Officials revealed that Lakanwal, who previously worked with the CIA as part of a partner force in Kandahar, was shot and is in serious condition. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that he had traveled across the country with his family from Bellingham, Washington to Washington, D.C., prior to the attack.
As the situation develops, the White House has not clarified when the immigration suspension will take effect or the specific countries affected. CBS News has reached out for further details, underscoring the urgency surrounding these new measures.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds, and share this urgent news with your network.
