Trump says US will pause migration from 'third-world countries'

November 28, 2025

Following a shooting in Washington DC by an Afghan national that killed one National Guard member and critically wounded another, President Trump announced plans to "permanently pause migration" from what he termed "third world countries. " The president released a strongly-worded Thanksgiving message blaming refugees for social problems and promising to end federal benefits for non-citizens, though he provided no specific implementation details. In response to the incident, the administration has already suspended Afghan immigration applications and announced plans to re-examine green cards from 19 countries including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela.

Who is affected

Migrants and refugees from "third world countries," particularly 19 nations including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela
Non-citizens receiving federal benefits and subsidies
Green card holders from the specified 19 countries facing re-examination
Sarah Beckstrom (20-year-old National Guard member from West Virginia who died)
Andrew Wolfe (24-year-old National Guard member critically injured)
Afghan nationals with pending or approved immigration applications
Somali refugees in Minnesota specifically mentioned by Trump
Afghans who worked with U.S. forces and their families

What action is being taken

The U.S. is suspending processing of all immigration requests from Afghans pending a security and vetting protocols review
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is re-examining green cards issued to individuals from 19 countries
National Guard members are deployed in Washington DC to crack down on crime
Authorities are holding and questioning suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal (who is not cooperating with investigators)

Why it matters

This represents a significant escalation in U.S. immigration restrictions that could affect hundreds of thousands of people from developing nations, including those who assisted American forces abroad. The response links immigration policy to a single violent incident despite unknown motives, potentially setting a precedent for broad policy changes based on individual criminal acts. The measures particularly impact vulnerable populations like Afghan interpreters and CIA collaborators who were promised protection for their service to the U.S., raising questions about America's commitments to allies. The policy also threatens to fundamentally reshape legal immigration pathways and benefits for non-citizens already in the country.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC