Trump Orders 'Permanent Pause' on Migration from 'Third World Countries' Amid Sweeping Immigration Curbs

President Donald Trump has announced a "permanent pause" on migration from all "Third World Countries," marking a significant escalation in his administration's immigration policies. The directive, communicated via his Truth Social platform on Thursday, November 28, 2025, follows the recent fatal shooting of a National Guard member in Washington D.C., for which an Afghan national has been identified as the primary suspect. This move is part of a broader, aggressive crackdown on immigration, which the President asserts is vital for national security and the preservation of "Western Civilization."

The phrase "Third World Countries," generally understood to refer to economically developing or disadvantaged nations, was used by President Trump without specifying which countries would be affected. The announcement quickly drew support from figures like Nate Morris, who stated in a social media post, > "President Trump's immigration moratorium is toughness and commonsense in action. He is fighting to defend the last hope of Western Civilization." Morris further elaborated, adding that > "Trump gets that the west will not survive if we continue submitting to the globalists by allowing them to flood us with the 3rd world." This rhetoric underscores the administration's view of immigration as a threat to national identity and security.

In conjunction with the migration pause, the Trump administration has implemented several other stringent measures. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow announced an indefinite suspension of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals and ordered a comprehensive re-examination of every green card held by individuals from "countries of concern." President Trump also vowed to terminate all federal benefits and subsidies for non-citizens and declared intentions to denaturalize migrants who "undermine domestic tranquility" and deport any foreign national deemed a public charge, security risk, or "non-compatible with Western civilization."

These actions are integral to a series of executive orders and policy shifts initiated since the start of Trump's second term, which include declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, expanding expedited removal processes, and aiming to end birthright citizenship. The "permanent pause" itself lacks a defined meaning under immigration law, leading legal experts to anticipate significant challenges. International bodies, including the UN, have urged the U.S. to uphold its commitments under international agreements regarding asylum seekers. The administration's aggressive stance, described as creating "shock and awe" by Trump's border "czar" Tom Homan, faces formidable hurdles including legal battles, funding requirements, and potential non-cooperation from other countries.