President Trump. AP Yonhap News

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to further strengthen its anti-immigrant policies following a shooting incident targeting National Guard members in the heart of Washington D.C. on November 26th, the day before Thanksgiving, America's largest holiday.

President Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, late on the 27th (local time), stating, "I will permanently stop immigration from all third-world countries."

President Trump did not specify which countries are considered "third-world countries" or what "permanent halt to immigration" entails.

In response to a Reuters inquiry about which countries are considered "third-world countries," the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) replied on the 28th that it refers to "19 countries subject to entry bans."

President Trump had previously issued a proclamation in June that completely banned or partially restricted the entry of citizens from these countries into the United States.

At that time, President Trump designated 12 countries as subject to a complete entry ban into the U.S., including Iran, Yemen, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. Seven countries were designated for partial restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Among these countries, Afghanistan is the country of origin of the shooter who fired on two National Guard soldiers on the 26th.

Immediately after President Trump's video message on the 26th, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), under the Department of Homeland Security, indefinitely suspended the processing of immigration applications from individuals originating from Afghanistan.

However, U.S. media reported that the National Guard shooter came to the United States in 2021 after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and received asylum approval in April of this year, after the commencement of the second Trump administration (January 20th of this year).

A U.S. official told CNN that the shooter passed all background checks before cooperating with the U.S. in Afghanistan or before entering the U.S.

In addition, President Trump stated that he would halt federal government-level support for non-U.S. citizens, emphasizing that he would revoke the citizenship of immigrants who disrupt social order and deport foreigners who pose a security threat or are incompatible with Western civilization.

He asserted, "Only reverse migration can completely heal this situation."

President Trump declared that he would end the immigration approvals granted to millions under the Joe Biden administration, saying, "Anyone who is not an asset to America or cannot love our country, I will send them all away."

He added that this includes those whose entry was approved by former President Biden's "automatic signature." President Trump has consistently argued that policies approved through former President Biden's use of an automatic signature machine are invalid.

Scene of the shooting of a National Guard soldier near the White House in Washington D.C. Reuters Yonhap News

For the 19 countries whose citizens face bans or restrictions on immigration or entry into the U.S., not only will their U.S. visits be denied, but those already legally residing in the U.S. may also face deportation after reclassification.

Following President Trump's announcement, the Department of Homeland Security plans to initiate a comprehensive review of green cards for foreigners originating from so-called "countries of concern," including asylum applications approved by the Biden administration.

Joseph Edlow, Director of USCIS, announced via X (formerly Twitter) that he has ordered a comprehensive review of green cards for all foreigners from countries of concern, citing President Trump's directive.

Although the specific countries of concern have not been explicitly named, CNN reports that USCIS has identified the 19 countries designated for a permanent halt to immigration.

The background behind blocking immigration and entry for citizens of these countries, and even jeopardizing the residency of those already in the U.S., appears to be inextricably linked to President Trump's political intentions to rally his Republican base and weaken the Democratic base through his anti-immigrant policies.

Following the National Guard shooting incident, President Trump specifically singled out Somalia in Northeast Africa among the 19 countries, claiming, "Hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees have taken over the once-thriving state of Minnesota."

These individuals have formed communities in Minnesota, and President Trump alleged in his video message that Somalis are causing harm to the United States.

Minnesota is a state with strong Democratic support and is the district of Ilhan Omar, a Democrat and the first Somali-American member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

President Trump also harshly criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, and Representative Omar.

On the 26th, a shooting near a subway station near the White House in Washington D.C. resulted in the death of 20-year-old Sarah Bexstrom, a West Virginia National Guard member, by Afghan national Ramanullah Khanwal (29). Andrew Woolf (24, male), also from the same National Guard unit who was shot alongside Bexstrom, is in critical condition.

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