Trump to Halt Migration from ‘Third World’ Nations: Which Countries Will Be Hit?
A deadly shooting near the White House triggered the Trump administration’s latest immigration freeze. The attack killed one National Guard member and left another critically injured. Investigators found that the suspected gunman had entered the US using an Afghan passport. Donald Trump immediately called the incident a “terrorist attack” and accused the Biden-era vetting system of allowing high-risk migrants into the country.
Within hours, Trump’s team reviewed national-security protocols and concluded that the current screening process was “broken.” This assessment led to a sweeping announcement: a “permanent pause” on migration from designated ‘Third World’ nations, along with a suspension of asylum rulings and visa processing for travellers from high-risk regions.
US President Donald Trump has announced a “permanent pause” on migration from several so-called “Third World” nations. The decision marks a major shift in America’s immigration stance and comes days after a shooting near the White House. Trump labelled the incident a “terrorist attack”, blaming the Biden administration for letting Afghans who worked with US forces enter the country.
The announcement has already triggered global concern. It affects refugee pathways, student visas, work permits and family reunification for millions who seek entry into the United States.
Countries Most Likely to Face the Migration Freeze
Trump’s order targets regions already under strict security screening. Countries with unstable governments, conflict zones, or high refugee outflows are expected to face the toughest restrictions. The list is expected to include:
- Afghanistan – already at the centre of the discussion after the shooting incident
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Sudan and South Sudan
- Somalia and Ethiopia
- Yemen and Syria
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- The Democratic Republic of Congo
Several of these countries were part of Trump’s earlier travel bans, which severely restricted entry for citizens from Muslim-majority nations. The new policy expands those criteria by adding economic classification—grouping them under the controversial “Third World” label.
Asylum and Visa Rulings Suspended
The US has halted all asylum rulings under the emergency directive. Immigration courts will not process new applications, and pending cases may face indefinite delays.
In addition, the administration has stopped issuing visas to anyone travelling on Afghan passports, regardless of their previous association with US troops or NATO missions.
The shooting near the White House, which killed one National Guard member and left another critically injured, accelerated the announcement. Trump told reporters that the attack “proves the need for stronger borders and tougher screening.”
Millions of families, workers and students around the world may now face uncertainty as the US attempts to recalibrate its immigration system.
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