Trump cites Immigration and Nationality Act to justify permanent migration halt

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump announced a "permanent pause" on immigration from "Third World countries" on Friday, November 28, a stance he justified on Saturday by citing the Immigration and Nationality Act as the legal basis for the sweeping policy.

This call for sweeping immigration restrictions follows the recent shooting incident near the White House, which left one National Guard member dead while another remains in critical condition. 

Trump cites law to justify permanent migration suspension

Donald Trump's justification for proposing the permanent pause on migration from all Third World Countries is rooted in Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

He used a Truth Social post to quote the section directly, stating: "Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 212(f): '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.'" 

It is to be mentioned that this section is cited as authorizing the president to suspend the entry of “any aliens or of any class of aliens” if their admission is deemed detrimental to US national interests. 

Meanwhile, the administration has taken preparatory steps aligning with this restrictive policy, with USCIS Director Joseph Edlow confirming that asylum officers have been instructed to halt issuing decisions until “enhanced vetting can be completed for every applicant,” citing public safety.

Concurrently, the US State Department, under Secretary Marco Rubio, paused visa issuance for all travelers holding Afghan passports, which Rubio characterized as a security measure, saying, “The United States has no higher priority than protecting our nation and our people.”

DC shooting incident drives Trump's permanent immigration ban proposal

The push for the "permanent pause" by Donald Trump follows the shooting that occurred on Wednesday just blocks away from the White House.

The suspected shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, allegedly targeted two young National Guard soldiers, Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24.  

While Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries on Thursday, Wolfe remains hospitalized, "fighting for life," according to Trump. 

Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for Washington, DC, indicated that Lakanwal is expected to face first-degree murder charges after Beckstrom's death, with additional counts likely.

Immigration agenda focuses on recovery and removal of illegal immigrants

The proposed permanent pause is part of a larger, articulated immigration agenda focused on recovery, vetting, and removal. 

Trump had previously written about his intention to implement a broad and deep restructuring of current immigration policies: "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, or is incapable of loving our Country, end all Federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens of our Country, denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization."