In a significant move, President Donald Trump declared his intention to permanently pause migration from select countries in response to the tragic shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., earlier this week. In a post shared on his social media platform late Thursday, Trump refrained from naming specific countries but mentioned that the pause would affect Third World Countries.
This announcement follows a proclamation issued by Trump in June, which banned travel to the U.S. from 12 countries, predominantly located in Africa and the Middle East. Additionally, it imposed travel restrictions on several other nations. The latest statement emphasizes the administration's ongoing commitment to tightening immigration policies.
In his Thursday post, Trump outlined a series of actions that the U.S. would undertake, although the specifics of how these measures will be implemented remain unclear. Among the proposed actions, Trump stated that the U.S. would:
Terminate all illegal admissions initiated under Biden's administration, including those signed by him using an Autopen. Remove individuals deemed not to be net assets to the United States or incapable of loving the country. End all Federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens. Denaturalize migrants who threaten domestic tranquility. Deport any foreign national considered a public charge, security risk, or incompatible with Western Civilization.The shooting incident occurred on Wednesday, resulting in the death of one National Guard member, while the other remains in critical condition. The suspect, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is a 29-year-old individual who arrived in the U.S. in 2021 during the Biden administration. He was granted asylum in April 2025 under Trump, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
Sources familiar with the investigation revealed that Lakanwal was involved with the Zero Unit in Afghanistan, working closely with the CIA and the Joint Special Operations Command. He was considered a trusted team member engaged in operations targeting U.S. counterterrorism objectives.
Following the shooting, Trump emphasized the need for an immigration crackdown, asserting that the attack highlights a pressing national security threat faced by the nation. Historically, Democrats and immigration advocates have criticized Trump's immigration restrictions, particularly concerning asylum seekers, claiming that he has exaggerated national security concerns while neglecting millions of families in need.
This summer, Trump ordered National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. He has also deployed members of the National Guard to other Democrat-led cities, including Chicago and Portland, Oregon, as part of his broader strategy to address perceived security risks.