Trump Defends ‘Third World’ Immigration Freeze as Vital Shield Against National Threats
In a firm defense of his administration’s sweeping restrictions on immigration, President Donald Trump has leaned on a key provision of U.S. immigration law to justify an indefinite suspension of entries from “third-world countries,” framing the policy as essential for safeguarding American interests.
The measures, which encompass a temporary hold on asylum rulings and visa approvals—particularly for Afghan passport holders—come in the wake of urgent pleas from United Nations agencies, including its human rights division, to maintain pathways for those fleeing persecution. Undeterred, Trump reiterated his position in a Sunday post on Truth Social, quoting Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This statute empowers the president to bar “any aliens or of any class of aliens” whose admission could harm U.S. interests, allowing for proclamations that suspend entries or impose targeted limitations as needed for national security.
“Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate,” Trump wrote, underscoring the legal foundation for the pause.
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The White House and Department of Homeland Security have yet to detail the rollout of these policies, according to ANI reports. However, initial actions signal swift enforcement: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow announced that asylum officers must now refrain from finalizing cases until rigorous additional screenings are in place, prioritizing public safety above all.
Complementing this, Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed a halt to all visa issuances for Afghan nationals, calling it a critical step for protection. “The United States has no higher priority than protecting our nation and our people,” Rubio stated.
These developments follow a tragic shooting on Wednesday outside the White House, where two National Guard members suffered severe wounds. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her injuries, while Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, clings to life in a hospital, as described by Trump. The suspect, Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, faces impending first-degree murder charges, with further counts anticipated, per U.S. Attorney for Washington, DC, Jeanine Pirro.
Trump’s earlier X posts had previewed broader tactics, such as revoking citizenship for migrants seen as disrupting societal harmony, cutting off federal aid to non-citizens, and expediting removals of those labeled public burdens, security hazards, or incompatible with Western values.
The freeze extends to every pending asylum application, impacting claims rooted in fears of harm due to race, religion, nationality, political views, or social group affiliation, the Washington Post reports. With USCIS facing a backlog exceeding 1.4 million affirmative asylum requests at the close of 2024, experts warn the suspension will intensify processing bottlenecks and heighten uncertainty for vulnerable applicants.