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Homeland Security pushes for broader travel restrictions
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced plans to recommend a travel ban on additional countries, citing concerns over criminal activity linked to immigration. The proposal follows a recent shooting in Washington DC involving an Afghan national.
Noem's proposal targets more nations
In a social media post on Monday, Noem stated she had discussed the measure with President Donald Trump and would suggest "a full travel ban on every country flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies." Neither Noem nor the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) specified which countries would be affected or when the ban might take effect. A DHS spokesperson told the BBC an official list would be released soon.
Expansion of existing restrictions
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Monday that Noem's recommendation would broaden an existing travel ban Trump imposed in June. That ban targeted 19 countries, primarily in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, with full or partial immigration restrictions. According to unnamed US officials cited by CBS News, Noem's additions could bring the total to around 30 countries.
Shooting sparks policy overhaul
Noem's announcement comes days after two National Guard members were shot in Washington DC last Wednesday. The suspect, an Afghan national who entered the US in 2021 under the Biden-era Operation Allies Welcome program, was identified by officials. The program was designed to resettle Afghans who had assisted US troops during the 20-year war in Afghanistan.
Emails obtained by CBS News revealed the suspect had struggled with mental health issues after arriving in the US. The shooting killed 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and left 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe in serious condition. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey reported Wolfe had responded to nurses with a thumbs-up but remained hospitalized.
Trump administration tightens immigration controls
In response to the shooting, the Trump administration halted all asylum decisions. US Citizenship and Immigration Services director Joseph Edlow stated the pause would continue "until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible." Edlow also confirmed Trump had ordered a review of green cards issued to individuals from 19 countries.
Trump escalated rhetoric on Thursday, threatening to "permanently pause migration" from all "third world countries"-a term historically used to describe developing nations. In a Thanksgiving social media post, he blamed refugees for "social dysfunction in America" and vowed to deport "anyone who is not a net asset" to the US.
Afghan community and UN respond
The Afghan Community Coalition of the United States issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims' families and calling for a "comprehensive investigation." The coalition emphasized the attack was the act of one individual and urged the US government not to delay or suspend Afghan immigration claims, citing the "20 years of Afghan-US partnership" since the 2001 US-led intervention.
The UN has urged the US to uphold international asylum agreements, according to Reuters.
Broader immigration policies under Trump
During his second term, Trump has pursued mass deportations of undocumented migrants, reduced annual refugee admissions, and sought to end birthright citizenship for many born on US soil.
