Late Thursday, President Trump announced on Truth Social that he plans to 'permanently pause' immigration from all 'Third World countries,' saying the move will give the U.S. a chance to 'fully recover'—just in time for Thanksgiving.
“Even as we have progressed technologically, Immigration Policy has eroded those gains and living conditions for many,” Trump wrote late Thursday night.
“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden’s Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States,” he added.
On Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla., President Donald Trump held up a photograph while speaking to reporters, following a video call with troops from his Mar-a-Lago estate. AP
Trump also vowed to cut all federal benefits and subsidies for "noncitizens," signaling a major shift in government policy
In the lengthy post, he wrote that he plans to "denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization."
“Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation. Other than that, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for — You won’t be here for long!” the post said.
Trump’s remarks came in the wake of a deadly ambush near the White House on Wednesday, where two National Guard members were attacked in what investigators say was carried out by Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
Lakanwal, 29, arrived in the U.S. in 2021 from Afghanistan following the Biden administration’s withdrawal, as part of the "Operation Allies Welcome" program.
Trump’s comments came after an ambush near the White House that left National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom dead. REUTERS
The alleged gunman previously served in Afghanistan’s elite NDS-03 counterterrorism unit, one of at least five paramilitary "Zero Units" that worked with the CIA, according to AfghanEvac—a nonprofit run by American veterans that helps resettle Afghan allies in the U.S., though Lakanwal was not among those they assisted.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that Lakanwal had worked with the intelligence agency, and his service to the U.S. played a key role in securing his entry into the country.
Lakanwal applied for asylum in December 2024 and was later approved under the Trump administration in April of this year.
Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the alleged gunman, entered the U.S. in 2021. Elizabeth Gomes via Storyful
U.S. Airmen and Marines escort eligible evacuees aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III during the Afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) on August 21, 2021. U.S. Central Command Public Affairs
In the 24 hours since the shooting that killed 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounded 24-year-old Guardsman Andrew Wolfe, the Trump administration has moved quickly to pursue sweeping, hardline immigration measures.
In response to Wednesday’s shooting, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow announced on X that there will be a "full-scale, rigorous reexamination" of every green card holder from countries "of concern."
Edlow wrote that Trump had ordered the massive review, which is expected to cover green card holders from at least 19 countries.
On Wednesday, the Trump administration also announced it was immediately suspending all immigration processing for Afghan nationals indefinitely, pending a full review of vetting protocols.
