US President Trump Unleashes New Wave of Immigration Restrictions Amid National Security Concerns
In a sweeping move aimed at tightening immigration controls, President Donald Trump has announced plans to suspend immigration from "all Third World countries", citing national security concerns. The decision comes on the heels of an Afghan national being named as a suspect in the shooting of two members of the US National Guard in Washington DC.
While the term "Third World" is often associated with developing countries, it's unclear what specific criteria Trump will use to define this category. However, the move represents another escalation in his administration's efforts to restrict immigration, which has already seen numerous high-profile restrictions, including a record-low refugee intake of 7,500 for 2026.
The review of green card applications from "countries of concern" was announced earlier by US Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow, who stated that the move is aimed at protecting national security. The list of countries in question includes Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Myanmar, Venezuela, and Yemen, among others. It's not yet clear which applicants will be subject to review.
Meanwhile, authorities are investigating Rahmanaullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who worked with US forces in Afghanistan before coming to the US under the "Operation Allies Welcome" programme. The FBI is reviewing his immigration history and vetting process, which has raised concerns about potential security risks.
The move has sparked alarm among immigrant communities and advocates for reform, who argue that such sweeping restrictions are misguided and based on xenophobia. Critics also point out that the decision will disproportionately affect low-income families and individuals who rely on green cards to access healthcare, education, and other vital services.
As tensions rise over national security concerns, it's clear that Trump's administration is pushing hard on immigration reform, with far-reaching consequences for US citizens, immigrants, and the global community.
In a sweeping move aimed at tightening immigration controls, President Donald Trump has announced plans to suspend immigration from "all Third World countries", citing national security concerns. The decision comes on the heels of an Afghan national being named as a suspect in the shooting of two members of the US National Guard in Washington DC.
While the term "Third World" is often associated with developing countries, it's unclear what specific criteria Trump will use to define this category. However, the move represents another escalation in his administration's efforts to restrict immigration, which has already seen numerous high-profile restrictions, including a record-low refugee intake of 7,500 for 2026.
The review of green card applications from "countries of concern" was announced earlier by US Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow, who stated that the move is aimed at protecting national security. The list of countries in question includes Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Myanmar, Venezuela, and Yemen, among others. It's not yet clear which applicants will be subject to review.
Meanwhile, authorities are investigating Rahmanaullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who worked with US forces in Afghanistan before coming to the US under the "Operation Allies Welcome" programme. The FBI is reviewing his immigration history and vetting process, which has raised concerns about potential security risks.
The move has sparked alarm among immigrant communities and advocates for reform, who argue that such sweeping restrictions are misguided and based on xenophobia. Critics also point out that the decision will disproportionately affect low-income families and individuals who rely on green cards to access healthcare, education, and other vital services.
As tensions rise over national security concerns, it's clear that Trump's administration is pushing hard on immigration reform, with far-reaching consequences for US citizens, immigrants, and the global community.
like what even is a 'third world country'?? its just another name for places that need help & are struggling 
we cant just blanket label whole countries as bad ppl it sounds like trump is using this to scare people away and stifle progress 7,500 refugees in 2026 is basically nothing 
whats next gonna be some super strict ID requirements at the border? 
.
. I'm all about national security, but this feels like a total overreaction to me 
... like, come on folks, a little extra vetting never hurt anyone? It's not like we're talking about letting just anyone into the country willy-nilly here. And what's with all this "Third World" nonsense? Can't we just focus on making America great for everyone, regardless of where they're from? 
Those countries the US is considering banning are actually some of the poorest and most war-torn places out there... let's be real, who wouldn't want to flee those messes? 
! It sounds like a recipe for disaster, targeting entire countries just because of their nationality? How will they even determine who's safe and who's not? 
The fact that it's based on national security concerns is understandable, but shouldn't we be focusing on actual threats rather than sweeping all countries under one umbrella?
We need to find a more balanced approach to immigration reform, one that takes into account both national security and the needs of vulnerable communities. 
. While I understand the concerns around vetting potential security risks, suspending immigration entirely seems like an overreach and could have far-reaching consequences for US citizens and immigrants alike 
. Such sweeping restrictions will only exacerbate existing social inequalities and disproportionately affect marginalized communities 
.
. A more nuanced approach to immigration reform, one that balances national security concerns with humanitarian considerations, would be a more constructive way forward 
.
i mean what's next? suspending travel to Europe just because of some security risk? it feels like trump's administration is playing a game of "us vs them" and it's not looking good for anyone who isn't a US citizen. 
and can we talk about how unfair this is going to be for low-income families and individuals who are just trying to make a living? they're already struggling to access basic services like healthcare and education, now you're taking away their chance at the green card too? 
it's time for us to stand together as a community and demand more inclusive policies that prioritize humanity over national security 
and what's with the list of countries? why can't they be more specific? it's not like we don't know which countries have security concerns 
We're already seeing record-low refugee intake, and now he's restricting green card applicants? It's like, what's the logic behind this?