‘Detrimental to US interests’: Donald Trump justifies ‘third world’ migration ban amid asylum appeals; cites law

US President Donald Trump on Sunday justified his stance on a permanent pause on migration from all “third-world countries” by citing Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).“Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate,” said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.Section 212(f) authorises the president to suspend entry of “any aliens or of any class of aliens” if their admission is deemed detrimental to US national interests. The law states:“Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.”Trump has doubled down and remains firm in his stand, despite appeals from multiple United Nations (UN) agencies, including its human rights office, urging the US administration to continue allowing asylum seekers. His previous posts on X also warned of measures including denaturalisation of migrants who “undermine domestic tranquility,” ending federal benefits for non-citizens, and deporting foreign nationals considered a “public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.” The White House and Department of Homeland Security have not clarified how these measures will be implemented, reported ANI.The administration has already taken concrete steps consistent with the freeze. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow confirmed that asylum officers have been instructed to halt issuing decisions until “enhanced vetting can be completed for every applicant,” citing public safety as the top priority. The US State Department, led by secretary Marco Rubio, simultaneously paused visa issuance for all travellers holding Afghan passports, describing the move as a security measure. “The United States has no higher priority than protecting our nation and our people,” Rubio said.The new restrictions follow a Wednesday shooting near the White House in which two National Guard soldiers were critically injured. Spec. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, later died of her injuries, while Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains hospitalised, ‘fighting for life’ as Trump said.The alleged shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, is expected to face first-degree murder charges, with additional counts likely, according to Jeanine Pirro, US attorney for Washington, DC.According to the Washington Post, the pause also affects all decisions on asylum claims, including those filed by migrants seeking protection from persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. At the end of 2024, USCIS had over 1.4 million pending affirmative asylum claims, and the suspension is expected to exacerbate delays.