Trump Freezes Immigration From ‘Third World’; Green Cards Under Review

Following the identification of an Afghan national as a suspect in the shooting of National Guard troops, green card applications from “countries of concern” will be examined.

The day after an Afghan national was identified as a suspect in the shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington, DC, US President Donald Trump announced his intention to halt immigration from “all Third World countries.”

Trump Suspends Immigration From ‘Third World’, Orders Major Green Card Review

After ordering the US government to reexamine all green card applications from 19 “countries of concern” in the wake of the massacre in Washington, DC, Trump’s statement is the most recent in a string of increasing restrictions on immigration to the US.

In a statement on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, Trump stated, “I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the US system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions.”

Although he did not provide a definition, the term “Third World” typically refers to developing nations in the Global South.

Additionally, Trump declared that he would “remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country.”

He also declared that he would “denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquillity, and deport any foreign national who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western civilization” and that all federal subsidies and benefits to “noncitizens” will cease.

Earlier on Thursday, US Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow announced that President Trump had ordered “a full-scale, rigorous re-examination of every green card for every alien from every country of concern.”

“The American people will not bear the cost of the previous administration’s reckless resettlement policies, and the protection of this country and of the American people remains paramount,” Edlow declared.

The Associated Press (AP) news agency was pointed by Edlow’s office to a June 4 presidential proclamation that prohibits nationals of 19 nations from entering the United States; however, Edlow did not specify which countries’ applications would be considered. Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Myanmar, Venezuela, and Yemen are on the list.

Prior to this, Citizenship and Immigration Services declared that all immigration requests from Afghanistan would be suspended indefinitely “pending further review of security and vetting protocols.”

Immigration restrictions in the US follow the identification of Rahmanaullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who had previously served with US forces in Afghanistan, as the suspect in the shooting of National Guard members by Jeanine Pirro, US attorney for the District of Columbia in Washington, DC.

According to Pirro, Lakanwal arrived in the US under a program called “Operation Allies Welcome” after the US withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021. She stated that his immigration history and the vetting procedure would be examined by federal agencies, including the FBI.

Aggressive steps have already been made by the Trump administration to limit immigration to the United States. In October, it declared it would take only 7,500 refugees in 2026 – the lowest number since 1980.

According to a memo signed by Edlow that the AP was able to get on Monday, the US government is also in the midst of a significant examination of recent US refugee arrivals.

According to the AP, the memo mandates the examination of the roughly 200,000 refugees who were admitted to the US under President Joe Biden’s term. Additionally, it suspends applications for green cards from refugees who entered the country during that time.

FAQ: Trump’s Suspension of Immigration From ‘Third World Countries’ and Green Card Review

1. What did Donald Trump announce about immigration?

US President Donald Trump announced that he plans to suspend immigration from “all Third World countries”, following a shooting incident in Washington, DC. This marks a major escalation in immigration restrictions.

2. Why did Trump make this announcement now?

The announcement came a day after an Afghan national, Rahmanaullah Lakanwal, was identified as the suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, DC. The administration cited national security concerns.

3. Who is the suspect in the Washington, DC shooting?

US Attorney Jeanine Pirro identified the suspect as Rahmanaullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan who previously worked with US forces. He entered the US under Operation Allies Welcome, a programme launched after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

4. What is Operation Allies Welcome?

Operation Allies Welcome is a US government programme that resettled Afghans who assisted American forces during the war. Many entered the US after the 2021 withdrawal.

5. What changes are being made to green card applications?

Trump has ordered a full review of green card applications from 19 “countries of concern.”
Additionally, green card processing for refugees who arrived during the Biden administration has been suspended.

6. How many refugees are affected by the new policies?

According to an internal memo, the US government is reviewing approximately 200,000 refugees admitted under President Joe Biden. Their green card applications are also paused during the review.

7. Is this part of a broader shift in US immigration policy?

Yes. The Trump administration has already taken several aggressive measures, including limiting the 2026 refugee cap to 7,500, the lowest since 1980.

8. Does the suspension affect all types of visas?

So far, the suspension is aimed at immigration from “Third World countries” and refugee-related green card processing. Specific visa categories may be addressed as the policy evolves.