The Trump administration is intensifying immigration curbs after a fatal Washington DC shooting, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urging broad travel bans on dozens of nations accused of driving crime in the U.S.
Following talks with President Donald Trump, Noem posted online: “a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.” Trump and the Department of Homeland Security reposted it on their channels.
Her proposal builds on June’s restrictions for 19 countries—mostly in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean—potentially expanding to 30 or more, sources say, with details pending. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a widening of prior bans on “third world and failed state” areas.
The move stems from last week’s attack killing National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically injuring Andrew Wolfe, 24—the suspect an Afghan admitted in 2021 via Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome, who faced mental health struggles.
Asylum processing is halted “until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible,” per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services director Joseph Edlow, who is reviewing green cards from those nations.
Trump threatens a “permanent pause” on migration from “third world countries,” mass deportations, refugee cuts, and birthright citizenship limits.
The Afghan Community Coalition seeks a “comprehensive investigation” without halting Afghan claims, stating: “Twenty years of Afghan-U.S. partnership must not be forgotten,” while the UN urges compliance with asylum pacts.