President Trump announces permanent pause on immigration from Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Sudan, Chad, and other countries citing national security and economic concerns.
US President Donald Trump announced plans to indefinitely halt migration from several African nations and other developing countries, in remarks shared Thursday November 27, 2025, during Thanksgiving. The measure follows heightened national security concerns after two National Guard members were shot in Washington, D.C., earlier this week.
Trump identified countries affected by the policy as Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Sudan, and Chad, among others, describing them as “Third World nations” whose immigration has, in his view, weakened the United States.
In his statement, Trump linked the influx of migrants to social and economic challenges, including crime, strained public services, and urban decline. He cited Minnesota as an example, alleging that Somali refugees had transformed communities and left residents feeling unsafe.
Trump also criticized US immigration benefits, claiming that many green card holders receive more in public assistance than they contribute through taxes. “A migrant earning $30,000 with a green card will get roughly $50,000 in yearly benefits for their family,” he said.
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The president outlined a series of actions intended to limit migration and reduce what he described as disruptive populations. These include ending federal benefits for non-citizens, cancelling green cards issued under the Biden administration he deems “illegal admissions,” and deporting individuals considered a public burden or security risk. He also suggested revoking citizenship for immigrants he believes undermine domestic stability.
The announcement came days after authorities identified the suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the US in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome and was later granted asylum. Trump cited the incident as evidence of the dangers posed by insufficiently vetted immigrants.
Critics argue that Trump’s rhetoric could fuel fear among law-abiding immigrant communities and potentially disrupt long-established refugee and asylum programs. Supporters of the administration say the move is a necessary national security precaution in light of the recent attacks.
Trump’s comments underscore the administration’s increasingly hardline stance on immigration, continuing a campaign that has already seen heightened scrutiny of asylum cases, green card approvals, and refugee admissions from countries deemed high-risk.
The policy’s practical implementation, including the timeline and criteria for enforcement, has not yet been clarified, leaving significant uncertainty for affected communities and US immigration authorities.