Trump Announces Permanent Pause on Migration From 'Third World' Countries After National Guard Member's Death

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he would "permanently pause migration from all 'Third World countries'" after a shooting near the White House that left one National Guard member dead and another critically wounded.

“He didn't say which countries the pause would affect in the social media post”

ABC News

He framed the move as necessary to let "the U.S. system fully recover."

ABC News

Multiple outlets reported the post and its stated policy aims, which included ending federal benefits to noncitizens, denaturalizing migrants said to undermine domestic tranquility, and deporting those deemed security risks or "non-compatible with Western civilization."

Trump did not specify which countries would be covered or provide operational details.

The announcement immediately prompted administrative actions, including a USCIS halt on processing for Afghan nationals and orders to re-examine green cards tied to a list of countries of concern.

The shooting preceding the announcement involved a 29-year-old Afghan national identified in multiple reports as Rahmanullah Lakanwal.

Authorities say the attack near the White House injured two National Guard members: Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who later died, and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who remained critically injured.

abc.net.au

The suspect was hospitalized and faces criminal charges.

Many outlets link the suspect to U.S. evacuation programs or to service alongside CIA-backed Afghan units.

Reporting varies on whether authorities have formally established a motive and on how much of the suspect’s background investigators have publicly confirmed.

Trump’s post went beyond a migration 'pause' and listed a suite of harsh measures.

“and Reuters Share this article US President Donald Trump said on Thursday his administration will "permanently pause" migration from all "Third World Countries", following the death of a National Guard member in an attack near the White House”

africanews

He proposed terminating what he called 'millions' of Biden-era admissions.

He proposed ending federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens.

He said he would use denaturalization when migrants 'undermine domestic tranquility'.

He also said he would deport those deemed public charges or security risks.

Several outlets noted the administration signaled a re-examination of green cards for nationals of a named set of countries, often cited as 19.

They also reported that a June travel ban which previously targeted about a dozen nations was under review.

Media recorded immediate operational steps by agencies like USCIS and DHS to review or pause processing for some Afghan admissions.

Media reactions vary: human-rights and international outlets warn of legal challenges, family separations, and humanitarian impacts.

Some conservative and pro‑Trump outlets portray the move as a necessary response to security concerns and immigration capacity.

AP News

UN agencies and legal experts are cited urging maintenance of asylum access and adherence to due process.

Analysts caution about the economic and practical repercussions if mass denaturalizations or deportations were attempted.

Several outlets highlight the political calculus, noting that Trump tied the move to the shooting as part of a long‑standing hardline immigration agenda.