Former President Donald Trump has declared a dramatic shift in United States immigration policy, vowing to implement a permanent ban on migration from what he describes as 'Third World countries', including Nigeria and other developing nations across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Thanksgiving Announcement of Sweeping Immigration Overhaul
Speaking during a Thanksgiving service, the former president argued that decades-old immigration frameworks have compromised national security and overwhelmed public services. Trump revealed that the foreign-born population in the United States has reached 53 million people, claiming this has created significant strain on American communities.
'America has been divided, disrupted, carved up, murdered, beaten, mugged, and laughed at,' Trump stated during his address. He insisted that the current immigration system has imposed heavy financial and social burdens on American taxpayers and local communities.
Linking Migration to Social and Economic Challenges
The former president connected immigration to various social problems, claiming that migrants with green cards earning modest incomes were accessing substantial government benefits that contribute to what he termed 'social dysfunction' across the country.
Trump provided multiple examples of these challenges, including:
- Rising crime rates in some communities
- Overburdened school systems
- Hospital congestion and healthcare strains
- Housing shortages and affordability crises
He specifically cited Minnesota as an example, alleging that incoming refugees from Somalia had transformed the state in ways he described as harmful to existing residents. 'Our people stay locked in their apartments and houses hoping against hope that they will be left alone,' Trump claimed.
Comprehensive Policy Changes and 'Reverse Migration'
Trump outlined a comprehensive set of immigration actions he intends to pursue if returned to power, with the permanent suspension of migration from all 'Third World' countries serving as the centerpiece of his plan.
'I will permanently pause migration from all Third World countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover,' he declared during his Thanksgiving address.
Additional measures Trump pledged to implement include:
- Reversing what he called 'illegal admissions' under the Biden administration
- Revoking federal benefits for non-citizens
- Removing immigrants considered security risks or financial liabilities
- Denaturalizing individuals who 'undermine domestic tranquility'
- Deporting foreign nationals 'non-compatible with Western civilization'
The former president emphasized that his overall objective involves a 'major reduction' of populations he categorizes as illegal or disruptive, insisting that 'reverse migration' represents the only lasting solution to America's immigration challenges.
Political Context and Washington DC Shooting Incident
Trump's announcement came amid heightened political tensions following a shooting incident in Washington, D.C. that left two National Guard members injured. Authorities confirmed the suspect had arrived in the United States in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome after assisting U.S. forces in Afghanistan and was granted asylum last year.
The former president concluded his remarks with a politically charged Thanksgiving greeting, adding 'You won't be here for long' in reference to those he accused of undermining American values and national security.
This proposed policy shift represents one of the most significant immigration overhauls suggested by a major political figure in recent years and could have profound implications for Nigerian citizens and other African nationals seeking to relocate to the United States if implemented.
