U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday announced sweeping new immigration proposals, vowing to permanently halt migration from all “Third World Countries” and deport “millions” of undocumented immigrants, following a shooting near the White House carried out by an Afghan immigrant.

Speaking from Mar-a-Lago, Florida, where he is spending the Thanksgiving holiday, Trump said the United States is “facing a crisis fueled by mass immigration,” claiming that 53 million foreign nationals officially reside in the country, most of whom he described as originating from “failed states.”

“Massive taxpayer funds from patriotic American citizens are being used to support the livelihoods of these migrants and their children,” Trump said. He argued that immigration is the driving force behind a series of domestic issues, including crime, housing shortages, urban decay, and national debt, asserting that the only solution is a full halt to immigration from certain regions.

The comments came one day after the death of Sarah Bakstrom, a 20-year-old National Guard sergeant from West Virginia, who was one of two guardsmen shot near the White House on November 26. The White House called Trump’s remarks “the most important message the president has ever sent” on X (formerly Twitter).

The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, entered the United States in 2021 under the Biden administration and received final asylum approval in April 2025. The attack has intensified political debate on immigration, with Trump accusing the previous administration of “massively failing” in its screening process.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that “an immigrant with a green card earning $30,000 a year can provide their family with $50,000 in benefits,” and alleged — without providing data — that many immigrants come from “prisons, mental institutions, gangs, or drug cartels.” He argued these groups are responsible for “dysfunction throughout American society,” including failing schools and overcrowded hospitals.

Trump singled out the Somali-American community in Minnesota, referencing Rep. Ilhan Omar, the first Somali refugee elected to Congress. He called her “the worst congresswoman in our country,” accusing her of hating the Constitution — comments likely to fuel further controversy.

He claimed that Somali refugees had “taken over once-great Minnesota,” portraying the community as a public safety threat, remarks that are expected to draw backlash from immigrant rights groups and members of Congress.

Donald Trump outlined an aggressive and far-reaching immigration agenda, stating his intent to permanently halt migration from all "Third World Countries." Furthermore, he vowed to launch mass deportations targeting millions of undocumented immigrants, even including those who were granted approval during the current Biden administration.

To fundamentally reshape the system, Trump promised to eliminate all federal benefits and subsidies for non-citizens and conduct a comprehensive review of green cards issued to migrants from unspecified "countries of concern." He concluded his remarks by asserting, "Only reverse immigration can completely heal this situation," though he did not specify which countries would be subject to these new, sweeping restrictions.

Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), confirmed that the agency has initiated a comprehensive review of green card holders from designated “countries of concern,” though he did not specify which nations were targeted.

Earlier this year, Trump signed a proclamation banning entry from 12 countries — including Iran and Somalia — and imposing partial restrictions on travelers from seven others, such as Venezuela.

The Department of Homeland Security stated that it is also reviewing asylum cases approved under the Biden administration, saying previous screenings failed to properly evaluate “large-scale asylum waves.”

Trump’s comments have already sparked intense political debate, with critics warning that blanket immigration bans may face constitutional challenges and potential violations of international obligations. Supporters, however, argue that the restrictions are necessary for national security.

Further policy announcements are expected in the coming days as the administration responds to the White House shooting and moves to implement the president’s new directives. (ILKHA)