President Donald Trump on Thursday announced plans to “permanently pause” migration from what he referred to as “Third World Countries,” a dramatic escalation of his administration’s immigration policy. The move comes in the wake of a deadly attack near the White House, in which National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was killed and fellow Guardsman Andrew Wolfe, 24, was critically injured.
Trump framed the policy as necessary to allow the U.S. immigration system to “fully recover” and to address what he described as security risks associated with certain migrants. The president’s statements were made on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he also criticized prior policies under former President Joe Biden and vowed to remove migrants who he deemed a “net liability” to the country.
Context: Attack Near the White House
The announcement followed a Wednesday shooting incident in Washington, D.C., which officials say was carried out by an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 under a resettlement program following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The attack resulted in the death of Beckstrom and serious injuries to Wolfe, prompting the president to issue new migration directives in response.
Trump linked the tragedy directly to immigration policy, claiming that the gunman had entered the country through Biden-era programs that allowed large-scale resettlement of Afghan nationals. According to Trump, these programs permitted hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. without sufficient vetting.
Trump’s Announcement and Policy Details
In his post, Trump stated:
“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden’s autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States.”
Trump added that his policy would include immigrants approved under previous administrations. He further stated that federal benefits and subsidies for non-citizens would be eliminated and that migrants deemed a threat to domestic tranquility could be denaturalized and deported. He framed these measures as necessary for protecting national security and preserving what he described as “Western civilization.”
While Trump did not identify specific countries or provide detailed criteria for what qualifies as a “Third World Country,” his statements signal an intention to broadly suspend migration from numerous nations while reviewing the status of migrants already in the U.S.
Impact on Asylum and Immigration Processes
Following the president’s announcement, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) halted processing all immigration requests related to Afghan nationals indefinitely. The move comes alongside a broader review of asylum cases approved under the Biden administration, as well as Green Cards issued to citizens of 19 countries.
Trump characterized the previous resettlement programs as poorly managed, stating that hundreds of thousands of individuals entered the country “unvetted and unchecked” during the airlift from Afghanistan. According to his administration, the goal of the new measures is to ensure that the immigration system operates efficiently, safely, and in a manner that prioritizes U.S. security and economic interests.
Legal and International Reactions
Trump’s policy has drawn immediate scrutiny from U.N. agencies and international legal experts. Officials emphasized that asylum seekers are entitled to protection under international law, and that countries, including the United States, have obligations under treaties such as the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the U.N. secretary-general, told Reuters:
“We expect all countries, including the United States, to honor their commitments under the 1953 Refugee Convention.”
Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office, added during a Geneva press briefing:
“They are entitled to protection under international law, and that should be given due process.”
While the Trump administration has yet to provide detailed guidelines on implementation, international observers warn that a blanket suspension of migration from large regions of the world could create legal challenges and diplomatic tensions.
Security Concerns and Public Safety
Trump framed his migration policies as a direct response to threats to public safety. He cited the recent White House attack as evidence that poorly vetted immigrants could pose security risks. According to U.S. officials, the alleged gunman, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had arrived in the U.S. as part of a resettlement program following the collapse of Afghanistan’s government and the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
The president’s statements underscore his broader narrative linking migration and national security. He emphasized that his administration would identify and remove foreign nationals considered a “public charge” or incompatible with U.S. societal values. This framing places the policy within a larger political context, connecting border security, resettlement programs, and public safety concerns.
Federal Review and Policy Implementation
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have confirmed that a comprehensive review of asylum cases and Green Card approvals is underway. The review targets programs approved under the Biden administration and involves multiple federal agencies. While specific operational details have not been disclosed, officials described the effort as unprecedented in scope, affecting potentially hundreds of thousands of immigrants.
Trump has also indicated that his administration intends to eliminate federal subsidies and benefits for non-citizens. He warned that migrants deemed a threat to domestic tranquility could be denaturalized and removed, signaling a stricter enforcement posture than in previous administrations.
Political Implications
Trump’s announcement is likely to have significant political consequences. Immigration has long been a central issue for his base, and this policy aligns with his broader messaging on border security and national sovereignty. Supporters may view the plan as a decisive move to protect U.S. interests, while critics argue it risks human rights violations and undermines longstanding U.S. commitments to refugees and asylum seekers.
Domestically, the policy may intensify debates in Congress over the scope of presidential authority on immigration. Implementation will require coordination across federal agencies, including DHS, USCIS, and the Department of State, while also navigating legal challenges from civil rights groups and international bodies.
International Concerns
The policy has sparked immediate concern abroad. U.N. officials and human rights organizations have emphasized the importance of upholding due process for asylum seekers and respecting international obligations. The prospect of halting migration from multiple countries could have diplomatic ramifications, particularly for nations with large populations seeking refuge in the U.S.
Analysts warn that unilateral decisions to suspend migration from broad regions could be perceived as discriminatory, potentially impacting U.S. relationships with key allies and international institutions.
Background: Migration Programs Under Biden
The migration programs targeted by Trump’s review were implemented in the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Following the Taliban’s rapid takeover, the Biden administration oversaw airlifts and resettlement programs designed to evacuate thousands of Afghan nationals, many of whom were at risk due to prior cooperation with U.S. forces.
Trump has criticized these programs as chaotic, claiming that vetting was insufficient and that large numbers of migrants entered the country without adequate screening. His administration is now seeking to review these cases comprehensively and, in many instances, revoke prior approvals.
Conclusion
President Trump’s announcement to “permanently pause” migration from so-called “Third World Countries” represents a major shift in U.S. immigration policy, driven by national security concerns following a deadly attack near the White House. By halting the processing of certain asylum applications, reviewing prior approvals, and threatening denaturalization and deportation for select migrants, Trump is signaling a more aggressive stance on border security and public safety.
While the policy appeals to his political base, it raises complex legal and diplomatic challenges. International human rights organizations have already urged the U.S. to honor its obligations under refugee law, while legal scholars warn that sweeping restrictions could face immediate court challenges.
The coming weeks are likely to see heightened debate over the scope, legality, and consequences of the administration’s approach, as federal agencies begin implementing the review and as the international community monitors the impact on migrants and asylum seekers.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
