Trump Halts Migration After D.C. Shooting

In the wake of a tragic shooting incident near the White House, President Donald Trump has declared a "permanent pause" on migration from all "Third World countries." The attack, which resulted in the death of a National Guard member and critically injured another, was allegedly carried out by an Afghan national who entered the U.S. under a resettlement program in 2021. Trump criticized the previous administration's vetting processes, claiming that large numbers of unvetted migrants entered during the 2021 U.S. airlift from Afghanistan. In response, he has ordered reviews of asylum and green card cases and increased deployments of immigration officers to enforce deportations, even of longtime residents without criminal records. U.N. agencies have urged the U.S. to uphold refugee protections under international law. reuters.com

The incident has intensified Trump's anti-immigration stance, leading to calls for stricter vetting and "reverse migration" policies. He has vowed to rescind immigration-related decisions made under the Biden administration, end federal benefits for non-citizens, and denaturalize individuals seen as incompatible with American values. The suspect in the D.C. shooting, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was wounded and is in custody. While officials continue investigating the motive, refugee groups emphasize that one person’s actions do not represent an entire community. Trump's rhetoric and proposals have sparked backlash from immigrant advocacy groups and even conservative media, who warn against collective punishment. Nonetheless, Trump and his allies maintain that stringent immigration reversal is essential for national security. apnews.com