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Trump Announces Sweeping Immigration Ban Targeting 60+ Countries, Most in Africa

President’s Thanksgiving statement threatens sweeping halt to migration from dozens of countries following National Guard shooting

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has announced plans for what he calls a permanent suspension of immigration from developing nations, a proposal that could affect visa applications and refugee admissions from more than 60 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

The announcement came in a lengthy Thanksgiving Day statement posted to Truth Social on Thursday, hours after confirming that West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom had died following a shooting near the White House. The suspect in that attack has been identified as a 29-year-old Afghan national.

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Broad Immigration Crackdown Proposed

In his statement, Trump outlined an ambitious agenda to reshape American immigration policy, linking it to what he described as severe strain on public services and national security concerns.

The president called for reverse migration while outlining potential measures to crack down on immigration, including suspending immigration from unspecified developing nations. He stated his intention to terminate federal benefits and subsidies for noncitizens and remove individuals he characterized as failing to contribute to American society.

Trump painted what he called a dire picture of the United States immigration landscape, claiming that the foreign-born population had reached 53 million.

Immediate Actions Already Underway

The administration has already begun implementing enforcement measures. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the immediate and indefinite suspension of all immigration requests involving Afghan nationals following the National Guard shooting.

The Director of USCIS ordered a review of all green cards previously issued to individuals from countries considered of concern, in line with Trump’s directive. When pressed for specifics, officials pointed to 19 countries identified in a June presidential proclamation.

African Nations in the Crosshairs

According to data from the World Population Review, more than 60 nations across Africa, Asia and the Pacific fall under the category of developing or least developed countries based on human capital rankings. This classification would encompass the vast majority of African nations.

In East Africa specifically, countries including Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Somalia are classified as least developed. Kenya, while considered a developing nation with stronger economic indicators, occupies an ambiguous position in Trump’s proposed framework.

The lack of precise definitions in Trump’s statement has created uncertainty about which countries would be affected and what criteria would be used to determine eligibility for the proposed migration pause.

Congressional Approval Required

Despite the sweeping nature of Trump’s announcement, implementation of such measures would require congressional authorization. Immigration law changes of this magnitude cannot be enacted through executive action alone, legal experts note.

The president has pursued aggressive immigration policies since returning to office, including a June travel ban covering 19 countries. However, comprehensive restrictions on entire categories of developing nations would represent an unprecedented expansion of those efforts.

Controversial Rhetoric Targets Specific Communities

Trump’s statement also included sharp criticism of Somali immigrant communities in the United States, particularly in Minnesota. He accused what he termed Somali gangs of creating disorder and targeted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Representative Ilhan Omar, who is of Somali origin, in his remarks.

The inflammatory language drew immediate criticism from immigrant advocacy groups and civil rights organizations, who characterized the president’s statements as xenophobic and factually misleading.

International Implications

The proposed immigration freeze could have significant diplomatic repercussions for American foreign relations, particularly with African nations that have historically maintained strong partnerships with the United States.

Development experts warn that such policies could undermine American soft power in regions where China and other global competitors are expanding their influence. Educational and professional exchange programs that bring talented individuals to the United States could also face disruption.

What Happens Next

The Trump administration has not provided a timeline for implementing the proposed restrictions or clarified the legal mechanism through which such sweeping changes would be enacted.

Immigration attorneys are advising clients from potentially affected countries to expedite pending applications and consult legal counsel about their status. Uncertainty remains high as stakeholders await more specific policy details from the administration.

As the debate intensifies, the fundamental question remains whether Congress will authorize such comprehensive immigration restrictions, or whether the proposal represents political messaging rather than imminent policy change.