UPDATE: Former President Donald Trump has announced an urgent plan to “permanently pause migration” from poorer nations, following a tragic shooting involving a former Afghan ally. This declaration came shortly after the shooting incident in Washington D.C. that left two National Guard members injured, with one fatality reported just before Trump’s Thanksgiving address on November 27, 2025.
In a vehement post shared on his social media platform, Trump expressed that “only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation,” emphasizing a direct link between the shooting and immigration policies. The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, is charged with shooting two National Guard members who were deployed to the area under Trump’s orders. Lakanwal emigrated to the U.S. as part of the Operation Allies Welcome program, designed to resettle Afghans who assisted American troops during the Afghanistan War.
This announcement marks a significant escalation in Trump’s long-standing anti-immigration rhetoric, which has drawn widespread criticism. “Happy Thanksgiving to all, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for — You won’t be here for long!” Trump declared, signaling a harsh stance against immigrants from developing countries.
The implications of Trump’s statements are profound, as they threaten to reshape U.S. immigration policy that has historically welcomed individuals seeking refuge. Critics argue that such measures could further damage the economy, as immigrants currently represent nearly 31 million jobs in the U.S., according to Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In addition to his immigration comments, Trump has called for a review of Afghan refugees admitted during the Biden administration. The Department of Transportation is also seeking stricter regulations on commercial driver’s licenses, which some view as a thinly veiled immigration crackdown following a deadly crash involving a driver from India.
“Most foreign-born U.S. residents are on welfare, from failed nations, or from prisons, mental institutions, gangs, or drug cartels,” Trump stated, repeating claims linking immigration to crime. However, studies consistently show that high concentrations of immigrants do not correlate with increased crime rates.
As the situation develops, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Joseph Edlow, confirmed that additional steps are being taken to screen individuals from 19 “high-risk” countries. This comes in light of national security concerns, although specific countries have not been named.
As Trump ramps up his rhetoric, attention now turns to how these proposed changes will affect the lives of countless immigrants and their families. The ongoing debate raises crucial questions about America’s identity as a nation of immigrants and the humanitarian responsibilities it carries.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as we continue to monitor the implications of Trump’s alarming immigration policies.
