US President Donald Trump on Thursday outlined a sweeping and controversial immigration policy via a series of posts on Truth Social, promising to permanently pause migration from all “third world countries” and pursue what he termed reverse migration for immigrants deemed disruptive.
Trump wrote, “I will permanently pause migration from all third world countries to allow the US system to fully recover,” citing the strain that unchecked migration has placed on American society and resources. While he did not specify countries individually, his statement signals a broad crackdown that could impact millions of residents from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as well as refugees, Green Card holders, and other immigration programs.
The announcement follows the US government’s suspension of immigration requests from Afghan nationals, triggered by the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House. Trump linked the shooting to immigration policies and asserted that the shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had been admitted under Biden-era programs.
Trump’s posts detailed further actions:
- Denaturalisation of migrants who “undermine domestic tranquillity”
- Deportation of individuals considered a public charge, security risk, or “non-compatible with Western civilisation”
- Termination of millions of admissions granted under President Biden, including those approved by “sleepy Joe’s autopen”
- Ending all federal benefits for non-citizens, including welfare and healthcare
He emphasised reverse migration as essential to restoring “law, order, and stability” and insisted that only those contributing positively to American society would be allowed to remain.
On Thursday, USCIS Director Joseph Edlow confirmed that a full-scale review of Green Cards had been ordered for immigrants from 19 countries listed in a June presidential proclamation, including Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela, but not Pakistan. Millions of Green Card holders and permanent residents from these nations could face scrutiny, even if they have lived in the US for years.
The administration also suspended all immigration requests from Afghan nationals pending a security review, leaving roughly 200,000 Afghans in limbo. The Pentagon deployed an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, supplementing 2,200 already stationed in the capital.
Trump framed immigration as “the single greatest national security threat,” accusing the prior administration of admitting “20 million unknown and unvetted foreigners from all over the world.” He emphasised that the United States will prioritise citizens and seek to remove individuals “who cannot love our country or contribute positively.”
The combined directives indicate an unprecedented federal review of immigration from third world countries, affecting Green Card holders, refugees, and pending applicants worldwide. Analysts warn that these measures could have profound humanitarian, legal, and diplomatic repercussions.
