Natalie Nyathi
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a “permanent pause” on immigration from what he calls “Third World Countries.” This decision comes after a recent shooting near the White House involving an Afghan national.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump said, “I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover.” He described plans to stop “millions of Biden illegal admissions,” remove people who are “not a net asset to the United States, or are incapable of loving our Country,” end federal benefits for noncitizens, denaturalize migrants who “undermine domestic tranquility,” and deport anyone who is a “public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.” He believes these measures will greatly reduce illegal immigration and other disruptive populations.
Trump’s announcement follows a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were attacked. One guard, Sarah Beckstrom, sadly lost her life. The shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is a 29-year-old Afghan national who moved to the U.S. after the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Trump claims this incident shows that current immigration policies have harmed the country. Just before announcing his plans, he criticized the previous administration for allowing many Afghan nationals into the U.S. without proper vetting.
The term “Third World” is outdated and often seen as offensive. It originally referred to countries that were non-aligned during the Cold War but is now frequently used to describe developing nations with high poverty rates, political instability, and lack of access to basic services.
Trump’s proposed pause on immigration could have significant effects, impacting millions who wish to go to the U.S. for jobs, education, or safety. It could also affect many sectors of the U.S. economy that depend on immigrant workers.
Reactions to the announcement have been mixed. Critics say the policy is unfair and driven by fear, while some supporters argue that it is necessary for national security. In addition to this proposed pause, Trump has recently taken other actions against immigration, such as ending deportation protections for Somali immigrants in Minnesota, claiming there is a threat from “Somali gangs.”
He has also called for a thorough review of Green Cards issued to immigrants from 19 “high-risk nations” and is offering money to countries that will take back U.S. deportees, even if they are not their citizens.