The Trump administration, emphasizing its anti-immigration policy following the Washington National Guard shooting incident that occurred on the eve of the major US holiday Thanksgiving, has begun a review of residency issues for people from 19 countries.
On the night of November 27, US President Donald Trump stated on social media that he would “permanently pause migration from Third World countries.” He did not specify which countries this would include.
He also said he would end federal-level support for those who are not US citizens, strip citizenship from immigrants who disturb social order, and deport foreign nationals who pose security risks.
He added, “Anyone who does not become an asset to the US or who cannot love our country will be sent out,” and stated, “Only reverse immigration can fully cure this situation.”
Accordingly, on November 28, when asked by Reuters which countries constitute the Third World countries, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) replied that it refers to the 19 countries subject to entry bans.
Joseph Edlow, Director of USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services), stated that under Trump’s orders, he had instructed a full reassessment of permanent residency for all foreign nationals from the countries of concern.
Although no specific countries were mentioned, CNN reported that USCIS had identified 19 countries.
Earlier in June, Trump issued a proclamation that either completely banned or partially restricted entry into the United States for nationals of the concerned countries.
At that time, the countries under a full entry ban were the twelve nations of Iran, Yemen, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. The countries under partial restrictions were the seven nations of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
