U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a permanent ban on refugees coming from Third World countries. According to Trump, this decision was necessary “to make America great again.”
Generally, Third World countries refer to low-income or lower-middle-income nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, although the term has no legal definition. Trump made this announcement on Thursday after the death of two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., linking the attack to refugees.
Trump claimed that immigration policies had made life worse for Americans. He said, “People who are not beneficial to America or who do not truly love our country will also be removed.”
Trump expressed his commitment to tightening immigration policies further. On Thursday, the Trump administration announced that migrants from 19 countries would undergo strict vetting.
Screening of migrants from 19 countries
Trump’s declaration of banning refugees from “Third World” countries is even bigger than the announcement made by USCIS, the agency responsible for handling immigration matters in the U.S.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated on Thursday that the agency will now review the cases of immigrants from 19 countries—including Afghanistan—who have already received permanent residency (green cards).
According to Edlow, the list of these 19 “countries of concern” was included in an executive order issued by Trump in June 2025.
The new guidelines took effect on November 27 and apply to both pending and new applications. Under this policy, every green card issued to individuals from these countries will be thoroughly re-examined.
Trump: Non-citizens will not receive government benefits
President Trump declared that no non-citizen will receive any government benefits, grants, or assistance. He also stated that those immigrants who disrupt peace and order may even lose their citizenship.
Trump added that people who are a public burden, a security threat, or incompatible with Western civilization will also be expelled from the country.
Trump: Immigration policies have worsened American lives
According to Trump, these measures will reduce illegal and problematic populations. He claimed that such social issues did not exist in the U.S. after World War II, but due to poor immigration policies, crime and disorder have increased.
Despite technological progress, Trump argues that flawed immigration policies have damaged the lives of ordinary Americans.
He said clearly, “The only complete solution to this problem is reverse migration—sending people back to their countries.”
After taking office in January, Trump had already signed an executive order to expel illegal immigrants.
Afghan refugee shot National Guardsmen
On Wednesday near the White House, two National Guardsmen were shot. An Afghan refugee has been arrested in connection with the incident.
According to FBI officials, the suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who arrived in the U.S. from Afghanistan in August 2021.
He applied for refugee status in 2024, and his application was approved in April 2025.
Immigration process for Afghan nationals suspended
The U.S. has immediately halted all immigration procedures related to Afghan citizens. USCIS stated on social media platform X that all immigration requests from Afghan nationals have been suspended indefinitely.
The agency said that all security checks and waiting systems will be thoroughly reviewed. Until the review is complete, no Afghan citizen will be able to proceed with any immigration-related process.
The agency explained that this step was necessary because the security of the American people remains its highest priority.
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the incident as a terrorist attack. After the attack, President Trump instructed the Pentagon to deploy an additional 500 National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C. Trump warned that the accused would “pay a heavy price.”
According to AP News, an official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that one of the guards was shot in the head. President Trump referred to the suspect as an “animal.”
In a video message, Trump said, “I have been informed that the suspect is a foreigner who came to our country from Afghanistan, which is like a hellish place.”
Trump added that all Afghan nationals who entered the U.S. under the previous administration will be re-examined.
According to Trump’s claim, around 20 million foreigners entered the U.S. during Biden’s administration without proper scrutiny, and this has now become a threat to America’s security.
