What did Trump say?
Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that he would look to "permanently suspend" immigration from countries he describes as "Third World". He did not provide a specific list of the countries affected, but the phrase "third world" typically applies to developing or economically disadvantaged countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Trump mentioned this proposal in the context of a shooting that occurred recently outside of the White House where the shooter is an Afghan National who had entered the US via the special visa program created following the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and Afghanistan. He also claimed that the prior vetting process under Biden allowed "millions" of people in to the United States who he is now looking to reevaluate.
How would this change immigration?
Trump has indicated he plans to halt almost all new migration from these countries. In his words, the US "system" must recover. Reports indicate that this would be in addition to other existing enforcement mechanisms in place today like travel bans, caps on refugee admissions and more stringent standards regarding evidence needed for application for asylum.
He has also made a pledge to:
Review and cancel existing US residency cards and other admissions issued during the administration of Joe Biden, particularly for nations on his target list of countries. End all Federal Benefit Programs and State Subsidies available to all persons not legally residing in the US (including Non-Citizens residing in the US). Denaturalize all non-citizen immigrants who are deemed as being a danger to society; hence deporting all such individuals labelled as public burden, security threat, or incompatible with Western Civilization ...
According to legal experts cited by various media outlets, most of the above-mentioned policy proposals will likely encounter significant legal challenges, as US laws protect individual rights to due process and prohibit broad discrimination, although he has not yet released an entire text of the legal framework.
Why did he use the phrase "Third World"?
The term “Third World” is derived from the Cold War and was used as a label to classify countries aligned with the Western Bloc, Eastern Bloc, or Non-Aligned Nations; various scholars and diplomats today refer to these countries as “developing" countries or “Global South,” and generally regard the term “Third World” as outdated and insulting.
The use of the term "Third World" in Trump's statements combines countries with different levels of development/interests and suggests a general security/economic risk without any clear definition. Critics point out that painting all immigrants from developing nations as burdens creates an impression of these immigrants as a liability to the US economy, rather than as qualified workers or productive contributors to the economy.
Possible Effects on Immigration Policy in the Usa
If this plan is implemented and maintained as law, the U.S. Immigration system will experience one of the largest shifts in immigration policy in resent decades. The total shutdown of the entry of individuals from dozens of countries could decrease the availability of Refugee resettlement, Student Visa, Family Visa and Work Permits, for many regions around the world.
For low-income migrant families and mixed-status families, Trump's commitment to eliminating nearly all federal support to people who are not citizens will have a devastating effect on states that have large immigrant populations. The potential of a "review" by the U.S. government of "millions" of immigrants who previously have been accepted into this country, (who have gone through legal screening years ago), could create a real sense of fear for many long-term residents who may be hit with this very same scrutiny again.
Supporting groups claim that the measures proposed are necessary to combat crime, abuse of Public Services and to respond to frustration associated with the increase of illegal border crossings. Many Human Rights Organizations and Economists disagree. They state that broad based bans punish individuals who had no connection to or involvement with the violence that has recently been perpetrated, and have the potential to greatly diminish the labor pool in many important industries that require workers from other countries.
