In a recent social media post, President Donald Trump announced plans to "permanently pause migration" from poorer nations. This statement follows the tragic shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., one of whom, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, died from her injuries. The other, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition. The shooting suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who previously worked with the CIA, faces first-degree murder charges.

Trump's comments came during a Thanksgiving address on his Truth Social platform. He blamed immigrants for various societal issues, including crime and housing shortages, and called for what he termed "REVERSE MIGRATION." He claimed that many foreign-born residents in the U.S. are "on welfare, from failed nations, or from prisons, mental institutions, gangs, or drug cartels."

The president's remarks have sparked significant concern among immigrant communities and advocacy groups. Many fear that the shooting incident could lead to increased scrutiny and backlash against Afghan refugees and other immigrant populations. Shawn VanDiver, president of the group #AfghanEvac, expressed that many Afghans in the U.S. are terrified of being targeted due to the actions of one individual. "They’re terrified. It’s insane," he said, emphasizing that the suspect does not represent the Afghan community as a whole.

In his lengthy post, Trump also threatened to revoke the legal status of millions of immigrants and denaturalize those he claims undermine domestic tranquility. He specifically mentioned Somali immigrants, alleging they are "taking over" Minnesota, a claim that lacks supporting evidence. According to Minnesota Compass, there were approximately 80,000 Somali nationals in the state as of 2023, out of a total population of nearly 6 million.

The president's statements have drawn criticism from various quarters, including UN agencies. A spokesperson for the UN human rights office stated that immigrants are entitled to protection under international law and should be afforded due process. Similarly, the UN refugee agency emphasized that refugees must have access to asylum processes and territory.

Since taking office, Trump has implemented strict immigration policies, including increased deportations and the deployment of ICE agents across the country. As of mid-November, over 65,000 individuals were in ICE detention, with a significant percentage having no criminal record. The Pew Research Center reported that as of June 2025, approximately 51.9 million immigrants lived in the U.S., making up 15.4% of the population.

The recent shooting incident has intensified discussions around immigration policy and public safety. Trump’s administration has indicated plans to reexamine the legal status of many immigrants, particularly those from countries deemed high-risk. The shooting suspect, Lakanwal, is accused of ambushing the National Guard members with a firearm, raising questions about the vetting process for Afghan refugees who assisted U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan.

As the situation develops, both immigrant advocates and government officials are closely monitoring the implications of Trump's statements and the ongoing investigation into the shooting.