This past Saturday, the White House issued a statement emphasizing the president's power to halt the entry of any foreign national or to impose immigration restrictions deemed necessary.
The tweet, dispatched from the official @WhiteHouse account, referenced Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This legal provision, traditionally used for temporary bans, resurfaces amidst a tense political atmosphere and a presidency characterized by openly restrictive rhetoric.
The announcement follows the Trump administration's decision to freeze all asylum processes after a recent attack in Washington D.C., where an Afghan national fatally attacked a 20-year-old soldier and critically injured another service member. The attacker had entered the U.S. on a special visa issued during the 2021 Afghan evacuation.
Asylum Decisions on Hold: A Legal Limbo for Thousands
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that no asylum applications will be processed or approved until a thorough review of background check protocols for protection seekers is completed.
This suspension leaves thousands of migrants, including Cubans fleeing political persecution or economic turmoil, in a prolonged legal limbo. The duration of this pause, and whether it will lead to a more extensive shutdown of the asylum system, remains unspecified by the administration.
"The safety of the American people is always the top priority," stated the agency. Nevertheless, there has been no clarification on how long this suspension will last.
Trump's Vision of "Reverse Migration"
The attack has been used by President Trump as a rationale for unprecedented tightening of immigration policies. In a Thanksgiving Day message, Trump announced plans to:
- Permanently suspend migration from "all Third World countries";
- Eliminate federal benefits for non-citizens;
- Deport individuals deemed a "public charge";
- Denaturalize immigrants, even long-term residents, if they are perceived to "undermine national tranquility."
"Only reverse migration can remedy this situation," Trump declared, repeating that the United States is undergoing a "destructive invasion."
Such rhetoric has been labeled as xenophobic and dangerous by human rights organizations, which highlight that the Fourteenth Amendment safeguards the citizenship of those who have already obtained it.
Understanding Immigration Policy Changes Under Trump
What is Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act?
Section 212(f) grants the president the authority to suspend the entry of any foreign nationals or impose restrictions when deemed necessary for national security.
How does the asylum process suspension affect migrants?
The suspension leaves many migrants, including those fleeing perilous conditions, in a state of uncertainty and legal limbo as their asylum applications are neither processed nor approved.
What are the implications of Trump's "reverse migration" policy?
Trump's policy aims to drastically reduce immigration from certain regions, eliminate benefits for non-citizens, and potentially reverse citizenship for those seen as a threat to national tranquility.