Trump Announces Plan to ‘Permanently Pause’ Migration From Certain Nations After Guard Shooting

President Donald Trump stated that he intends to impose a “permanent pause” on immigration from unspecified countries, responding to the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., earlier this week. The announcement appeared late Thursday on the president’s social media platform, where he described the targeted countries only as “Third World Countries.”

The president’s post followed a fatal attack that left one Guardsman dead and another critically injured. Authorities identified the suspect as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021, during the Biden administration. According to multiple law-enforcement sources, Lakanwal received asylum in April 2025, after Trump had returned to office.

Trump’s online statement outlined several additional measures he said the administration would pursue. Among them, he pledged to revoke “millions” of what he called “Biden illegal admissions,” strip federal benefits from non-citizens, denaturalize immigrants deemed to disturb “domestic tranquility,” and deport foreign nationals considered public charges, security risks or “non-compatible with Western Civilization.” The White House has not yet detailed how or when these proposals would be implemented.

Previous travel restrictions

The planned suspension builds on earlier immigration actions. In June, Trump issued a proclamation barring travel to the United States from 12 nations, most of them in Africa and the Middle East, while imposing additional restrictions on several others. Information on existing U.S. entry policies is available on the U.S. Department of State website.

Details of the Washington shooting

The shooting occurred Wednesday in the nation’s capital and has been labeled a “targeted” attack by investigators. One Guardsman succumbed to injuries, and the second remains in critical condition. Officials say the suspect used a handgun and was apprehended near the scene.

Sources familiar with the investigation report that Lakanwal previously worked with Afghanistan’s Zero Unit, a group that collaborated with the Central Intelligence Agency and the Joint Special Operations Command on counterterrorism missions. He was described as a trusted member of that team, according to individuals briefed on his background.

Administration response and political context

Speaking from Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, Trump characterized the incident as evidence of what he called the nation’s “greatest national security threat.” He reiterated his intention to tighten immigration controls and suggested the forthcoming pause would be indefinite.

The administration has taken other domestic security steps in recent months. Over the summer, Trump ordered National Guard deployments to Washington, D.C., and later dispatched Guard units to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, both led by Democratic municipal governments.

Imagem: Internet

Democratic lawmakers and immigrant advocacy organizations have consistently opposed Trump’s immigration policies, arguing that the administration overstates security concerns and blocks legitimate asylum claims. Critics maintain that broad restrictions penalize families fleeing conflict and hardship.

Unanswered questions

Trump’s post did not list the specific countries subject to the forthcoming pause, nor did it outline legal mechanisms for canceling benefits, denaturalizing citizens, or reversing previous admissions. Administration officials have also not indicated whether additional legislative authority will be sought from Congress.

In the wake of the shooting, federal and local agencies continue to investigate the suspect’s travel history, asylum approval process, and possible motives. No connection to larger extremist networks has been alleged publicly, and officials have not released information on how Lakanwal obtained the firearm used in the attack.

Funeral arrangements for the deceased Guardsman have not yet been announced. The injured service member remains under medical care, with no update on condition provided since Wednesday evening.

As the investigation and policy review proceed, the timeline for implementing the proposed immigration pause remains uncertain. The White House has indicated that additional guidance will be released after relevant agencies complete legal and procedural assessments.

Crédito da imagem: The White House