Trump announces ‘permanent pause’ on immigration from all ‘Third World countries’ after DC shooting
US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced what he called a “permanent pause” on immigration from “all Third World countries”
WASHINGTON (MNTV) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday announced what he called a “permanent pause” on immigration from “all Third World countries,” sharply escalating his administration’s restrictions a day after two National Guard members were shot in Washington, DC. One of the soldiers later died. Authorities have identified a 29-year-old Afghan national as the suspect.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he would “pause migration” indefinitely and remove anyone who is “not a net asset” or “incapable of loving our country.” He did not define which nations he considers “Third World,” a term generally associated with lower-income countries in the Global South.
Trump also said federal benefits for noncitizens would be cut and that migrants who “undermine domestic tranquility” could face denaturalization or deportation.
The comments followed a Wednesday night news conference in which Trump called the DC shooting “an act of terror” and demanded a review of all Afghans admitted under the previous administration.
Hours later, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced an immediate, open-ended suspension of all immigration requests involving Afghan nationals.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said he had also ordered a “full-scale re-examination” of green cards issued to immigrants from “countries of concern,” referencing the administration’s June travel ban list.
That order bars or restricts travel from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and several others.
Immigration experts say the president’s language remains vague. “Permanent pause” has no defined meaning under U.S. law, though the Immigration and Nationality Act allows the president to suspend entry indefinitely, subject to court challenges.
Advocates warn that the announcement could heighten fear among migrant communities and further delay visa processing, family reunification and pending applications for people from affected countries.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
