President Trump used a late-night Thanksgiving message to announce a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration policy, pledging a “permanent pause” on migration from what he called “all Third World Countries.” He argued the current system has overwhelmed American communities and weakened national security, saying the country must halt incoming migration so the system can “fully recover.”
Trump said his administration will move to end federal benefits, subsidies, and welfare access for non-citizens. He also vowed to denaturalize migrants deemed hostile to the United States or incompatible with “Western civilization,” pledging mass deportations for anyone classified as a public charge or a security risk. Though he did not release a specific list of nations affected, the declaration marks one of his most sweeping immigration positions to date.
The announcement comes on the heels of a deadly attack near the White House, where an Afghan national fatally shot a National Guard member and seriously wounded another. In response, the administration has paused immigration processing for all Afghan nationals and launched a comprehensive review of green-card holders from “countries of concern,” signaling a broader tightening of vetting procedures.
Critics say the new proposals raise significant legal and logistical questions, including how a broad migration “pause” could be enforced and how affected immigrants would be evaluated. Supporters argue the measures are overdue and necessary to restore national security after years of lax enforcement. As the administration moves forward, the policies are expected to spark intense political and legal battles in the months ahead.