Trump Announces Immigration Suspension from Developing Nations
Overview of Immigration Policy Announcement
Former President Donald Trump announced late Thursday that he intends to suspend immigration from developing nations, referred to as “Third World Countries,” in order to allow the U.S. immigration system to “fully recover.” This decision comes in the wake of a shooting incident in downtown Washington, D.C., where a National Guard member was killed, and another critically injured. The suspect in the shooting has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who arrived in the U.S. in September 2021.
Background on the Shooting Incident
The shooting occurred mere blocks from the White House, prompting a swift response from the Trump administration, which has since adopted a stricter stance on immigration policies. According to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Lakanwal, who previously worked with U.S. government forces in Afghanistan, drove from Bellingham, Washington, to Washington, D.C. before the attack. Lakanwal is currently in serious condition after being shot by a National Guard member during the confrontation.
Proposed Policy Changes
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he would also terminate the status of millions of migrants who were admitted under President Joe Biden’s administration. He aims to remove individuals deemed “not a net asset” to the United States, end federal benefits for noncitizens, and deport foreign nationals identified as security risks or incompatible with Western civilization.
The administration announced it would conduct a “full-scale, rigorous reexamination” of green cards for immigrants from 19 countries of concern, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, and Venezuela. In line with this, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed it is reviewing all asylum cases approved under the Biden administration.
The Suspect’s Immigration Status
Lakanwal was granted asylum earlier this year and was paroled on humanitarian grounds due to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The scrutiny over his immigration status is a critical compstartnt of Trump’s renewed immigration strategy, which seeks to tighten regulations and increase the vetting process for future immigrants.
Conclusion
Trump’s declaration signals a major shift in U.S. immigration policy and follows significant recent events in Washington, D.C. The White House has yet to clarify the implementation timeline for these proposed changes or the specific countries affected. CBS News has reached out for further details.
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