Trump’s statement, delivered late on Thanksgiving via social media, marks a significant shift in his administration’s policies and intensifies the rhetoric around immigration. In a post that has sparked both support and backlash, the president pledged to suspend migration from poorer nations, terminate federal benefits for noncitizens, and review thousands of immigration cases. This decision places Trump’s controversial immigration agenda firmly in the spotlight as the 2025 political season heats up.
The D.C. Shooting and Its Political Repercussions
The shooting incident that prompted Trump’s remarks occurred on November 26, 2025, when two National Guard members were ambushed near the White House. Authorities suspect that Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. as part of a resettlement program following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, was responsible for the attack. Lakanwal had reportedly worked with U.S. military forces during the war in Afghanistan and had been granted asylum in 2024 under the Trump administration.
The tragedy has fueled further political debate about the U.S.’s immigration system. While the suspect was in the country legally, Trump framed the shooting as evidence of a broader threat posed by migrants from unstable countries, a point he reinforced in his Thanksgiving social media post. Trump’s rhetoric, which now includes a promise to “reverse migration” and remove any foreign nationals who do not contribute positively to the U.S., has drawn sharp criticism from immigration advocates.
The White House and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have responded by initiating a review of asylum cases, particularly those approved during the Biden administration, and suspending the processing of immigration requests from Afghanistan. The reexamination includes green cards issued to citizens of 19 countries, many of which have faced travel restrictions in previous years, including Cuba, Iran, and Venezuela.
Impact on Immigration Policy and Broader Debate
Trump’s remarks on “permanently pausing migration” have intensified the ongoing debate surrounding immigration in the U.S. While he has long advocated for stricter controls, his latest actions could have far-reaching consequences for the millions of immigrants in the country. According to reports, the move could potentially affect long-term residents, including those who have been granted asylum and those holding green cards.
In his posts, Trump also promised to end federal benefits for noncitizens, including health care and housing subsidies, a policy shift that he argues would help reduce the financial burden on American taxpayers. He has long claimed that immigration from certain regions leads to crime and drains resources, but studies have consistently shown that immigrants, particularly from Latin America and Africa, contribute to the U.S. economy and are less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens.
Despite these claims, Trump’s policies face strong opposition. Critics argue that this rhetoric ignores the nuanced reality of immigration and targets vulnerable groups based on nationality and socio-economic status. Advocacy groups have also warned that suspending migration from certain countries could lead to increased xenophobia and undermine the U.S.’s reputation as a land of opportunity.
Trump’s focus on “Third World” nations, a term often used pejoratively to describe countries with lower income levels and political instability, further complicates the debate. While Trump did not define which nations would be included in his suspension, his previous travel bans targeted countries with predominantly Muslim populations or those facing political turmoil. This latest move could be seen as another step in his broader strategy to limit immigration based on national origin.
