US President Donald Trump has announced a plan to "permanently pause" migration from countries deemed "third world," marking an escalation in his administration's hardline stance on immigration. The move comes after two National Guard members were shot in Washington DC, prompting Trump to vow to increase national security by controlling who enters the country.
In a late-night social media post, Trump claimed that his administration would end all federal benefits and subsidies for non-citizens and remove anyone deemed "not a net asset" to the US. However, it's unclear how the president intends to implement this plan, given past challenges in enacting similar policies.
The shooting on Wednesday, which injured one attacker but left another guard critically wounded, has become a flashpoint in Trump's ongoing crackdown on immigration. Authorities suspect the shooter was Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the US under a Biden-era program last year.
Lakanwal worked with military units backed by the CIA during the US war in Afghanistan, according to reports. The president's late-night post appears to be part of an escalation of anti-migrant policies, which have been dominated by mass deportations this term.
Trump singled out Somali communities in Minnesota, despite promising to end temporary protected status for people from Somalia earlier this week. His rhetoric blamed high crime and the country's rising deficit on migrants and refugees without evidence.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced processing of immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is suspended pending review. The Department of Homeland Security is expanding this review to include all asylum cases approved under the Biden administration, although it's unclear whether this will apply to cases from countries other than Afghanistan as well.
A travel ban imposed by Trump in June on citizens of 19 countries, including Afghanistan and others, could be expanded under the revised policy. National Guard troops have been positioned across Washington DC since August, prompting a federal judge to order their removal but with an extension of 21 days for the Trump administration to respond or appeal.
The president's plan is likely to face similar challenges in implementation as previous attempts, given the need for legislative approval and court oversight.
In a late-night social media post, Trump claimed that his administration would end all federal benefits and subsidies for non-citizens and remove anyone deemed "not a net asset" to the US. However, it's unclear how the president intends to implement this plan, given past challenges in enacting similar policies.
The shooting on Wednesday, which injured one attacker but left another guard critically wounded, has become a flashpoint in Trump's ongoing crackdown on immigration. Authorities suspect the shooter was Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the US under a Biden-era program last year.
Lakanwal worked with military units backed by the CIA during the US war in Afghanistan, according to reports. The president's late-night post appears to be part of an escalation of anti-migrant policies, which have been dominated by mass deportations this term.
Trump singled out Somali communities in Minnesota, despite promising to end temporary protected status for people from Somalia earlier this week. His rhetoric blamed high crime and the country's rising deficit on migrants and refugees without evidence.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced processing of immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is suspended pending review. The Department of Homeland Security is expanding this review to include all asylum cases approved under the Biden administration, although it's unclear whether this will apply to cases from countries other than Afghanistan as well.
A travel ban imposed by Trump in June on citizens of 19 countries, including Afghanistan and others, could be expanded under the revised policy. National Guard troops have been positioned across Washington DC since August, prompting a federal judge to order their removal but with an extension of 21 days for the Trump administration to respond or appeal.
The president's plan is likely to face similar challenges in implementation as previous attempts, given the need for legislative approval and court oversight.