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Trump announces sweeping migration freeze after DC attack
President Donald Trump declared late Thursday he would "permanently pause migration" to the U.S. from all "third world countries", framing the move as necessary to let the nation's immigration system recover from policies he claims have undermined Americans' living standards. The announcement, made in a Truth Social post, lacked specifics on implementation or which nations would be affected.
Shooting of National Guard members sparks policy shift
The pledge follows Wednesday's attack in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly shot two National Guard members-killing one. Authorities say Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021 under a special visa program for Afghans who assisted U.S. forces during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. He had reportedly been granted asylum earlier this year.
Trump labeled the incident an "act of terror" and used it to escalate his longstanding hardline immigration stance. On Wednesday, he vowed to remove "any foreigner from any country who does not belong here," while the U.S. simultaneously halted all Afghan immigration requests pending a review of vetting protocols.
Green cards, federal benefits under scrutiny
Thursday brought further measures: the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it would re-examine green cards issued to immigrants from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela-citing a June White House proclamation. The agency provided no details on the review's scope or process.
In his late-night post, Trump also pledged to "end all federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens," blaming refugees for "social dysfunction in America" and vowing to deport "anyone who is not a net asset" to the country.
Broader crackdown mirrors past policies
The moves echo Trump's first-term actions, including a travel ban on several majority-Muslim nations. Earlier this year, he reinstated restrictions on Afghan nationals and 11 other countries, primarily in Africa and Asia. Critics argue the latest steps risk further isolating vulnerable groups, while supporters frame them as necessary for national security.
"The gains and living conditions of many Americans have been eroded by failed immigration policies. We must restore order."
Donald Trump, via Truth Social
Lakanwal's background raises questions
Lakanwal, the DC shooting suspect, reportedly worked with the CIA in Afghanistan, according to former agency director John Ratcliffe. His asylum approval in 2024 has intensified scrutiny of vetting processes for Afghan evacuees, thousands of whom were resettled after the Taliban's 2021 takeover.
Officials have not disclosed a motive for the attack, but the case has already reignited debates over refugee screening and the risks of expedited resettlement programs.
What's next
The White House has not detailed how the proposed migration pause would be enforced or which agencies would oversee it. Legal challenges are expected, given past court battles over Trump's immigration policies. Meanwhile, USCIS's green card review could affect thousands of permanent residents from the listed countries.
